India beat Japan, top pool

India beat Japan, top pool
Press Trust of India

Dhaka, March 13: A resurgent India qualified for the semi-finals of the inaugural Prime Minister’s Gold Cup hockey tournament, downing Japan 3-1 here today.

India, who beat Scotland 5-1 in their opening match in this nine-nation tourney, are sitting pretty with full six points from two matches to lead Group A. India will take on hosts Bangladesh tomorrow in the last league encounter.

Scotland, who will face Japan on March 15, have brightened their chances for a semi-final berth from Group A by bagging 3 points from two outings.

India, despite conceding a goal first, displayed better stick work and dominated the proceedings throughout.

Japan seized the initiative when Yamabori Takahiko received a pass from Furusaro Kyuji inside the box beat the Indian custodian with a superb push in the 26th minute.

However, the Japanese could not sustain the lead as the Indians soon mounted pressure and succeeded in levelling the score from a penalty corner by Dilip Tirkey.

Deepak Thakur pushed the ball which was stopped by Arjun Halappa for Tirkey who easily converted.

The Indians earned the lead with a field goal which capped excellent play by skipper Baljit Singh Dhillon.