India beat Japan for series lead
will be nice and special for everyone.”
The tie could even see brothers come face- to- face as former Barca midfielder Thiago Alcantara returns to his former club where younger brother Rafinha is now a firstteam regular.
Revenge could also be on India defeated Japan 2- 0 in their second match of the four- match hockey series in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday. The first game had ended in a draw.
S. K. Uthappa and Dharamvir Singh scored for the hosts.
The teams played attacking hockey in the initial quarter, showcasing a fast paced game. While Japan relied on long passes to break through the rival defence, the hosts were solid in defence even as they kept Japan under pressure.
India took the lead in the 27th minute, when a fine cross from Yuvraj Walmiki found S. K. Uthappa.
The latter found the net with a neat deflection as India led 1- 0 at half time.
India tried to build on the pressure and had the upper hand in the third quarter too.
The Sardar Singh- led team kept up the attack, but were met with a well organised Japanse defence.
Japan made some quick moves in the fourth and final quarter, but India’s defenders were up to the task. As the teams continued to tussle, midfielder Dharam- vir Singh showed impressive skills finding his way past the defence, to add to the tally in the 48th minute.
India could have made it 3- 0 when Walmiki attempted a reverse shot but the Japanese defence stood tall in the dying minutes.
The third match will be played on Thursday.