India loses 3-5 to Japan in semi-final of Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament

Defending champions India today suffered a 3-5 defeat against Japan in the semi-final of the Asian Champions Trophy men’s hockey tournament at Dhaka. Japan started off with a flurry of attacks and penalty corners before gaining a two-goal cushion.

The Indians fought back with a goal at the start of the second quarter but a penalty stroke towards the end helped Japan to maintain the two-goal lead.

Later, a lapse in defence of the Indian side led to the fourth goal before Japan made it 5-1 towards the end of the third quarter. The intense fourth quarter was marked by Harmanpreet Singh, who scored one to reduce the deficit.

A Penalty corner rebound helped India to net one more goal but their unbeaten run ended with the loss versus Japan. After the defeat, India will face Pakistan for the bronze medal play-off and Japan will face South Korea in the final.