RUPINDER NETS SIX AS INDIA HAMMER JAPAN

Kuantan (Malaysia), Oct. 20: Experienced drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh slammed six goals as India launched their campaign in the fourth Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament with a rousing 10-2 victory over Japan, here on Thursday.

Repeatedly leaving the Japan defenders stunned with his rasping drag-flicks, Rupinder converted his first four shots as fancied India steamrolled the hapless Japanese defence.

Left to playing a supporting role to Rupinder, striker Ramandeep Singh scored twice in the first quarter, while Talwinder Singh and Affan Yousuf contributed once each.

Japan’s goals, against the run of play, came through Kenta Tanaka and Hiromasa Ochiai.

With Rupinder converting six of India 10 penalty corners, it was a day to forget for Japan, who got a silver in the 2013 Asian Champions Trophy, losing to Pakistan in the final.

Playing their first match since losing to Belgium in the Rio Olympics quarterfinals, India proved their title credentials completely dominating play.

Earlier, Malaysia stunned twice defending champions Pakistan 4-2 with Faizal Saari scoring twice in the home team’s rally from 1-2 deficit. Two other Malaysian goals — from Firhan Ansari and Shahril Saabah — came off penalty corner rebounds. — PTI