India vs Japan HIGHLIGHTS, Asian Games 2023 hockey final: IND defeats JPN 5-1 to win gold, Paris 2024 quota

That’s all for today. See you tomorrow when Indian women’s hockey team faces Japan in the bronze medal match at 1:30 PM IST.

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Harmanpreet avenges 2018 loss as India dethrones Japan to win gold in Asian Games, qualifies for Paris 2024 Olympics

India beat Japan 5-1 in the men’s hockey final to win gold medal at the ongoing Asian Games in Hangzhou on Friday.

A minute before match is over Kawahara Yamato of Japan gets a YELLOW CARD. THE WHISTLE BLOWS AS INDIA WINS GOLD AND GETS DIRECT ENTRY TO PARIS 2024 OLYMPICS!!!!

Japanese attempt to enter the Indian D, but is soon intercepted by the Indians counter as Sukhjeet runs through and earns a PC! HARDIK INJECTS AND HARMANPREET SINGH SCORES via a flick as Takumi Kitagawa fails to protect his right corner!!!!

Vivek loses it ball and Nilakanta makes a foul, leading to Japan taking the ball. Hardik intercepts but is tackled by two Japanese defenders but gets a free hits after he fails to stick to the ball.

Will the Indian team be able to make it to Paris 2024 with just six minutes to go?

Mandeep Singh seems to have been injured as he holds his thigh and limps off the field. Abhishek comes in his place.

Sreejesh saves the ball twice, but its PC for Japan as there is a clash of sticks. Tanaka Seren scores off deflection as Japan is awarded its consecutive PC.

Lalit Kumar tries to pass it across but the ball goes to the right flank sideline.

Abhishek scores as he crosses it over and flicks it into the GOAL after he receives the ball from Hardik!!!!

Japan starts, but India intercept.

Fun Fact- DID YOU KNOW? Japan has never won against India at the Asian Games!!!!!

Japanese try a fast counter-attack, but Indians try to stop it. Manpreet Singh gets a GREEN CARD at the end of thrid quarter.

Indians hover near the Japanese D as Harmanpreet attempts to pass it across but it goes through the sideline as no Indian is present to receive it.

Crowded D with Gurjant having his back to the goal making it difficult for him to turn and flick it as the ball falls flat.

Aerial from Hardik to Shamsher, who is near the D. Shamsher tries to score but is blocked by the Japanese ‘keeper.

Aerial ball by Harmanpreet finds Sukhjeet with the Japanese near him just outside the circle. PC FOR INDIA! Amit Rohidas, who is on the second battery scores off the variation!

Indians continue to full press against Japan, but Lalit doesn’t succeed.

Manpreet hits Masaki’s foot. And its a PC. Make it three PCs. Hardik to Mandeep, who stops the ball as Harmanpreet, who scores with a powerful drag flick. The ball passes to the right of goalkeeper and into the goal!!! India leads 2-0!

Kentaro to start for Japan, with the ball. Fukuda on the left flank with Jarmanpreet blocking, fails to enter the circle.

As the hooter goes marking the first-half, India leads 1-0 thanks to Manpreet’s reverse flick.

Tanaka is unable to defend against three Indians including Jarmanpreet, who wins the ball.

Sreejesh saves the ball as Japan starts attacking. The ball hits Sumit’s hand as he exits the pitch.

India’s Manpreet reverse hit at the goal AND IT’S A GOAL.! However, umpire checks for obstruction by Mandeep. Taiki is benched due to an injury. The goal is referred and it’s given in INDIA’s FAVOUR. Gurjant gets a GREEN CARD, that too just when India scored its goal.

Sukhjeet, Mandeep and Manpreet near the Japanese D to try and attack, but Japan’s defence is impenetrable.

As Japan loses the ball possession, it goes straight back to defence. India attempts to score, but misses the opportunity.

Tanaka tries to enter the Indian circle, but Harmanpreet defends it and due to the dangerous ball, the whistle goes India’s way.

Raiki tries to defend the ball near his circle.

Hardik injects. Harmanpreet passes it to the right to Mandeep with Amit Rohidas flicks it off wide on top!

Mandeep Singh starts with the ball. Manpreet gets a whistle blown due to a stick block as he tries to enter the Japanese D.

Hardik to India. Harmanpreet to drag flick, but Takumi saves it and the ball rolls past the back line. The hooter blows as both teams are yet to score!

GREEN CARD FOR JAPAN!! A rough tackle leads to Nagai Yuma.

Abhishek’s cross finds Manpreet Singh, however, the Japanese defender ensures he isnt able to trap the ball.

Long ball by Amit in an attempt to pass to Mandeep Singh, but is intercepted by the Japanese.

Fukuda driving through the left flank, looks for his Japanese teammates but is unable to find anyone and attempts to score, but goes wide.

Sukhjeet in the striking circle, but the reverse flick fails to meet the goal post. High press by the Indians, who are attacking in the first quarter and trying to get Penalty Corners.

Hardik passes the aerial ball from the mid field to Shamsher, who is inside the Japanese circle. Abhishek fails to convert it.

India starts with the ball, but Japan intercepts. Japan goes to the right flank and attempt to penetrate to the Indian D, but are unable to do so.

The teams enter the field and the anthems of both teams are being played.

Played-12 | Won-3 | Lost-9

Pool A:

IND 16-0 UZB

IND 16-1 SGP

JPN 2-4 IND

PAK 2-10 IND

IND 12-0 BAN

Semifinal- IND 5-3 KOR

The last time India faced Japan was at the Asian Games Pool A encounter. India thrashed Japan 4-2.

Here is the match report from that match-

Asian Games 2023: India men’s hockey team beats Japan 4-2, overtakes Pakistan from top of Pool A

The Indian men’s team continued its winning streak to beat Japan 4-1 in the Pool A match at the Asian Games 2023 on Thursday at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou.

India- 29 | Japan- 3 | Draw- 4

The ghost of Jakarta was finally exorcised as the Indian men’s hockey team entered the Asian Games final and one step closer to an Olympic ticket here on Wednesday with a 5-3 win against South Korea but not before slipping up briefly and getting a scare. It will take on reigning champion Japan in the final after the latter beat China 3-2 to silence a capacity crowd in the other semifinal.

Three minutes from half time, Harmanpreet Singh was crowded into a corner in the Indian half with three Korean attackers trying to win possession. He controlled the ball and kept them at bay for almost two minutes, getting it in India’s favour but through that period, the stands resonated with wondrous exclamations and applause from both the Indian and Chinese supporters. It was a fine exhibition of the skills that the world expects of Indian players. It was also a pressure release at a time when Korea was going all out to get a goal. (More to follow)

-Uthra Ganesan

India vs Japan men’s hockey finals at Asian Games 2023 will take place on October 6 at 4 PM IST. Sony Sports Network will telecast the match, while Sony LIV will live stream the same.