India begin Sultan Azlan Shah with win over Japan
IPOH (MALAYSIA): India defeated Asian Games champions Japan 2-0 to start their campaign at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on a positive note here on Saturday.
Varun Kumar converted a penalty corner in the 24th minute to hand India the lead before Simranjeet Singh (55th) scored a diving field goal from skipper Manpreet Singh’s brilliant pass to secure full three points for the five-time champions.
India, playing a depleted team after several key players were ruled out with injuries, will play South Korea in their next league game on Sunday before taking on hosts Malaysia (March 26), Canada (March 27) and Poland (March 29). The top two teams from the round robin league stage will play the final on March 30.
After a goalless first quarter, India slowly took control of the proceedings. Eight minutes into the second quarter, India won a penalty corner and Varun made no mistake in finding the back of the Japanese goal with a powerful drag-flick.
The Indian midfield, manned by skipper Manpreet and Kothajit Singh, stole the limelight by creating numerous scoring chances but the forward line was guilty of wasting opportunities.
With four minutes remaining for the second hooter, Mandeep Singh missed the target by a whisker after being set up by a good pass from Sumit Kumar (Junior).
In the third quarter, Japan secured their first penalty corner (33rd) but India custodian PR Sreejesh did well to thwart the danger. The following minutes saw both India and Japan create scoring opportunities but in vain. With two minutes remaining for the third hooter, Japanese striker Kenji Kitazato took a brave shot on goal but missed the post by a big margin.
Playing in overcast conditions with the temperature hovering around 28 degrees, India continued their hunt for a second goal and earned a penalty corner within minutes of the fourth quarter. But this time Varun missed the mark, allowing Japan to launch a quick counter attack, which was kept at bay by an alert Birendra Lakra.
Japan tried different ways to dislodge India, used full-press to gain ball possession but did not succeed. Japan removed their goalkeeper to add an extra man in the 55th minute but the tactic backfired with India making use of the opportunity to double their lead. It was a diving effort by Simranjeet that put India ahead.
With just two minutes remaining, Japan secured another corner but the attempt was well defended by Surender Kumar, backed by goalkeeper Krishan Pathak, who replaced Sreejesh after half-time.
LAHIRI TIED 23RD
PALMHARBOR(USA):ANIRBAN Lahiri made a superb birdie-birdie start but was unable to keep the momentum going, finishing tied 23rd in Round 2 of the Valspar Championship. After consecutive birdies on 10th and 11th, Lahiri gave away shots on 16th and 18th. On his second nine, he birdied second and eighth but bogeyed fourth and seventh to finish at even par 71 at Innisbrook. With the scoring being low, Lahiri looks set for a good finish with his two-day total of one-under 141. He is five shots behind the leader. The cut fell at one-over 143.
SHUBHANKAR SLIPS
KUALALUMPUR:VIRAJ Madappa (70) and Chikkarangappa (68) were the best placed Indians at tied 22nd after three rounds of the Maybank Championship. Defending champion Shubhankar Sharma (74) had a rough day after rising up to fifth. The 22-year-old was pushed back by bogeys on fifth and sixth and then 13th and 14th. His birdies were on first and 18th. He was tied 30th alongside SSP Chawrasia (70).