Asian Champions Trophy 2023: India held to 1-1 draw by resolute Japan defence

By India Today Sports Desk: India were left to rue their missed opportunities on Friday as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Japan in their second group game of the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai.

Harmanpreet Singh and his team had a total of 16 penalty corners in the match and were only able to convert one of them. The hosts had come into the game after their 7-2 thrashing of China on Thursday, while Japan had lost to Korea in their first match of the tournament.

The first quarter of the match was dominated by India, earning as many as eight penalty corners. However, Japan’s robust defense successfully thwarted all attempts at scoring. Despite India’s aggressive play, they failed to convert these opportunities into goals. Japan, on the other hand, managed to secure a penalty corner but couldn’t capitalize on it.

The second quarter saw a shift in momentum when Ken Nagayoshi of Japan scored a goal in the 28th minute, stunning the stadium into silence. This unexpected lead was the result of a successful penalty corner, the only one Japan earned in this quarter. India, despite their efforts, couldn’t break through Japan’s defense, leaving the score at 1-0 in favor of Japan at halftime.

The third quarter brought renewed hope for India. Harmanpreet Singh, in the 43rd minute, finally converted a penalty corner into a goal, equalizing the score. This was a much-needed boost for the Indian team, who had been struggling to penetrate Japan’s defense.

The final quarter saw intense action from both sides. India, despite being a man down due to Mandeep Singh’s suspension, kept up the pressure. However, Japan’s defense held strong, denying India any further goals. The match concluded with a 1-1 draw, a testament to the evenly matched skills of both teams.

This draw was a significant outcome for Japan, as they opened their account for the tournament. For India, it was a missed opportunity to top the table in the tournament.