India beat Japan 6-1, enter Junior Asia Cup hockey final

Harmanpreet was in his element, scoring all his four goals from penalty corners as India ended the tournament unbeaten.

The Indian hockey team put up a scintillating performance to beat Japan 6-1 in the semi-final and enter the summit clash of the Junior Asia Cup here on Saturday. The match marked India’s second win over Japan in the tournament.

India drew first blood after only 10 minutes with Harmanpreet firing home their first penalty corner.

Harmanpreet scored in the 10th, 15th, 30th and 53rd min to seal Pakistan’s fate, who could score only two goals that were never enough to erase India’s mammoth lead.

Vikramjit’s field goal in the 27th minute consolidated India’s lead to 4-0 as the winners went into the break.

The semi-final victory was also India’s second in the tournament against Japan, having beaten them at the group league stage.

Pakistanb pulled one back in the 68th minute through Muhammad Dilber’s goal but by then it was too late.

Earlier, South Korea edged Japan 2-1 to clinch the bronze medal.

In the penalty shootout, YongBok Kim, KiHoon Kim, WooCheon Ji and HanYoung Yoo scored for South Korea while Shahril Saabah was the only one on target as Aiman Nik Rozemi and Azwar Rahman failed.

India started the first half with their usual flair and attacking display as Mandeep opened the account in the 12th minute.

Manpreet Jr increased the tally within a minute to make it 2-0.