Moqi , The Indian junior men’s hockey team showed tremendous grit to rally and secure a 3-3 draw against Japan in their second Pool A match of the Junior Asia Cup here on Sunday.
Fresh from their emphatic 14-0 victory over Indonesia in their opening pool match, India took the lead in the fourth minute through a penalty stroke following a foul. Captain Anmol Ekka stepped up and calmly converted to put India 1-0 ahead. Ryushin Sasaki converted the opportunity to pull one goal back and make it 2-1. Neither side was able to create the decisive opening, and India went into the half-time break leading 2-1. Japan won a penalty corner and, after a re-awarded penalty corner, captain Kazuki Nakanishi converted in the 48th minute to level the score at 2-2. With time ticking away, Japan won another penalty corner and Nakanishi stepped up once again, finding the target with a flick in the 59th minute to put Japan ahead 3-2.
Japan responded almost immediately, winning a penalty corner in the 11th minute. Both teams continued to push forward in the second quarter, with India looking to extend their lead and Japan searching for the equaliser. The contest remained tightly fought, with both defences holding firm. The final quarter saw the intensity rise as Japan pressed for an equaliser. Japan continued to threaten in the closing stages and earned another penalty corner in the final five minutes. India defended the initial attempt well but were unable to clear the ball, resulting in another penalty corner for Japan. This time, Japan’s flick went wide.
