India secured a thrilling 3-2 victory over Japan in their second Pool A match of the men’s Asia Cup hockey tournament on Sunday, keeping their campaign on track with two consecutive wins. Captain Harmanpreet Singh proved decisive once again, scoring a brace to guide the hosts past a resilient Japanese side. Harmanpreet struck first in the fifth minute, giving India an early advantage, and added his second goal in the 46th minute to restore the team’s lead after Japan had temporarily equalised. Mandeep Singh had set the tone for India with an early strike in the fourth minute, ensuring that the team started the match on a strong note. Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SUBSCRIBE NOW!For Japan, Kosei Kawabe scored in the 38th and 59th minutes, keeping his side in contention and adding tension to the closing stages of the game. Despite Kawabe’s efforts, India managed to hold on, demonstrating composure and experience in defence, particularly in the final moments of the match. This win followed India’s narrow 4-3 victory over China in their Asia Cup opener on Friday, highlighting the hosts’ competitive edge and attacking prowess in the tournament so far. With back-to-back wins, India have positioned themselves strongly in Pool A and will look to maintain momentum when they face Kazakhstan in their final pool match on Monday.The stakes are high in the continental championship, as the winner of the Asia Cup will qualify for next year’s Hockey World Cup, which is set to be jointly hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. India’s victories against China and Japan underline their determination to secure a top finish and gain direct entry into the prestigious global tournament.With key players like Harmanpreet Singh and Mandeep Singh in excellent form, and the team showing resilience under pressure, India will aim to carry their winning momentum forward in the remaining matches of the pool stage and beyond.
