Japan vs India Highlights & Replay, Men's Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Harmanpreet saviour again as India edge Japan

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After a narrow win over China in their tournament opener, the Indian men’s hockey team will aim for the same result but with a better performance when they host Japan in their second match at the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025.

India defeated China 4-3, thanks to a hat-trick by captain Harmanpreet Singh who was also guilty of missing a penalty stroke in a crucial moment in the game.

The Men in Blue are currently second in Pool A, behind their next opponents Japan. Both teams won their first match, but Japan pumped seven goals without a reply against Kazakhstan and therefore ahead of India on goal difference.

Also Read: Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025: Updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

How India came from behind to defeat China

Right from the push back, the Indian men’s hockey team were on the front foot, as they attacked with pace. China absorbed the pressure, survived a penalty corner and then started to stitch together a few moves that had India concerned.

The pressure eventually paid off for China, as they won a penalty corner of their own, and then converted with Shihao Du (12’) found the back of the net. India had to mount a comeback quickly, and piled on the pressure on China, ending the first quarter in the ascendency. However, China led 1-0.

India began the second quarter on the attack, and were doing well to put the pressure on China. Three minutes into the period, India won a Penalty Corner, and Jugraj Singh (18’) smashed it home to make it 1-1. Shortly after, India earned another Penalty Corner, and Captain Harmanpreet Singh (20’) rifled it home to make it 2-1.

The hosts were dominating proceedings in the late afternoon sun, and kept China, who created a couple of chances, at arm’s length through the rest of the quarter. At the half-time break, India led 2-1, much to the joy of the home fans.

Also Read: India vs China Highlights & Replay, Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025

India came out of the break looking to pile on the misery for their opponents, and on cue, the skipper Harmanpreet Singh (33’) made it 3-1 from the first Penalty Corner of the quarter. China responded brilliantly shortly, as they won their third Penalty Corner, and Benhai Chen (35’) converted to make it 3-2.

For the next few minutes, India and China matched each other move for move, with the latter looking dangerous, and making it a little nervy for the home fans. With 20 minutes to go in the game, China won a couple of Penalty Corners, and the second resulted in an equaliser from Jiesheng Gao (41’).

At the end of the quarter, both sides were locked at 3-3, with the game very much in the balance.

India began the final quarter with intent, as they earned a couple Penalty Corners early on, and Harmanpreet Singh (47’) completed his hat-trick with aplomb, to give the hosts a 4-3 lead.

Then Harmanpreet Singh led Indian men’s hockey team continued to keep the game in the opposition half of the field, making it tough for China in the final minutes. Eventually, when the hooter sounded, India walked off with the win.

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