Asian Champions Trophy: India's title hopes dashed; Pakistan's winless streak continues

Misfiring India draw 1-1 with Japan

A profligate India missed chances galore to be held to a 1-1 draw by a determined Japan in their second match of the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium in Chennai on Friday.

While Ken Nagayoshi scored for Japan in the 28th minute, India drew level through skipper Harmanpreet Singh's penalty corner conversion in the 43rd minute.

India had defeated China 7-2 in their opening match on Thursday.

It was an engaging first quarter, with India starting off in an attacking fashion.

However, despite some positive possession-based play and scoring chances, both the teams failed to find the back of the net.

While Japan saw a player being substituted with an injury, India received as many as seven penalty corners in the quarter, but failed to successfully convert one.

While Vivek Sagar Prasad earned a green card in the eighth minute, nothing separated the two sides in the opening quarter.

The intensity remained the same for both the teams in the following quarter, before Jugraj Singh was green-carded in the 27th minute.

The following minute resulted in a penalty corner for Japan, and Nagayoshi successfully converted it to put his side ahead.

After the change of ends, India played technical as well as relentless hockey and engaged in aerial balls as well.

With Japan continuing to be ruthless in its defence, the Indians eventually managed to earn a penalty corner in the 43rd minute, and Harmanpreet made no mistake this time to flick it hard into the net to draw level.

In the final quarter, both the teams switched to attacking hockey.

India earned a penalty corner in the 55th minute, but a successful video referral from Japan got the decision to be overruled, while Mandeep Singh saw a yellow card a minute later.

India earned as many as 15 corners compared to Japan's two, but to no use.

After a day's break, India will take on Malaysia on Sunday, while Japan will play Pakistan on the same day. 

Defending champions South Korea hold Pakistan to 1-1 draw

Pakistan remained winless in the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy after being held to a 1-1 draw by defending champions South Korea.

Pakistan had lost 1-3 against Malaysia in their opening match on Thursday.

While Abdul Shahid opened the scoring for the Men in Green in the ninth minute, Jihun Yang pulled back the equaliser for the Koreans from a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute.

Before the start of the encounter, Pakistan skipper Umar Bhutta was felicitated by Hockey India for featuring in his 200th international match.

The opening quarter saw a quiet start from both the sides as they tried to penetrate each other's circle and create chances but failed to convert the opportunities that came their way into goals.

It was not until the second quarter that the breakthrough arrived, with Shahid deflecting the ball in following a pass towards him.

Bhutta was sent off the field with a green card in the 20th minute, while his side maintained the 1-0 lead at the half-time break.

The restart saw no change in the tempo of the game as both the sides looked to gain possession, besides earning penalty corners as well but to no avail.

The third quarter witnessed a player from Korea being substituted for injury, while there were no goals conceded by either side in this 15 minutes.

In the final quarter, Korea tried to up the ante and indulged in some physical play, leading to a couple of injury breaks.

While Pakistan's Aqeel Ahmad saw the green card in the 48th minute, Korea's Park saw the same colour three minutes later.

Eventually, after a corner in the 52nd minute, Pakistan conceded a penalty stroke in the follow-through, as Yang successfully converted it to draw level for Korea.

Both the teams pressed on the accelerator and created great chances, including some corners, but to no avail.

Ultimately, the two teams shared the honours with a 1-1 draw.

While Korea will play China next, Pakistan will face Japan. 

Malaysia beat China 5-1 to continue its winning run

Malaysia continued its winning run in the 2023 Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a convincing 5-1 victory over China at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium.

China was the first to put its nose ahead in the fourth minute, with Chongcong Chen scoring a field goal.

However, it did not take long for Malaysia to bounce back, as seven minutes later, Faizal Saari successfully converted a penalty corner to draw level.

In the 15th minute from another corner Abu Kamal Azrai put Malaysia ahead.

After a quiet second quarter, it was 2-1 for Malaysia at the half-time break, while towards the end of the third quarter, Firhan Ashari (45th minute) scored the third for Malaysia through a field goal.

In the 49th minute, another field goal from Ashari made it 4-1 for the Malaysians, while in the 57th minute, Najmi Jazlan made it 5-1 through a penalty corner.

With this win, Malaysia has risen to the top of the table with six points and it plays India next.

China will be up against defending champion South Korea, as it remains winless in its opening two games.