Debutants shine as India swamp Japan

Debutants Dilpreet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad sparkled in India’s 6-0 win over Japan in their opening match of the doubleleg four-nations invitational hockey tournament at Tauranga, New Zealand, on Wednesday.

Dilpreet (35th, 45th minutes) and Vivek (12th, 28th) struck a brace each while drag-flickers Rupinder Pal Singh (7th) and Harmanpreet Singh (41st) rounded off the tally.

Cheered on by Under-19 cricket coach Rahul Dravid and his boys, who were present in the stands, India put up a dominant show, outclassing Japan in all departments.

The Men in Blue attacked regularly and earned their first penalty corner in the seventh minute. Young gun Harmanpreet Singh’s attempt was blocked and since the obstruction came off the body, India were awarded a penalty stroke.

Experienced drag-flicker Rupinder converted it, to fetch India the early lead.

India’s second goal came in the 12th minute when Vivek was quick to pick up a rebound to crack the ball past the Japanese goalkeeper.

The second quarter saw India rarely allowing Japan an opportunity to enter their Dee.

Vivek found another opportunity in the 28th minute as the Indian attackers broke into the Japanese defence. Receiving an assist in the circle, Vivek found the back of the net in no time.

In the 35th minute, a brilliant run from Mandeep Singh found Dilpreet in the circle, who made it 4-0.

In the 41st minute, India won their second short corner, which was neatly executed by Harmanpreet (5-0). Dilpreet then scored from the top of the circle as India completed a comfortable win.