Captain Harmanpreet Singh struck a brace as India beat Japan 3-2 to notch their second straight win in Pool A in the Men’s Asia Cup Hockey tournament on Sunday. Harmanpreet scored in the fifth and 46th minutes, while Mandeep Singh slammed the other goal for India in the fourth minute.
For Japan, Kosei Kawabe scored in the 38th and 59th minutes.
Asia Cup | Brace from Captain Harmanpreet Singh and goal from Mandeep Singh help India beat Japan 3-2 in Pool A match. India registers its second consecutive win in the tournament.
— ANI (@ANI) August 31, 2025
India qualify for Super 4 stage.
India managed to attain a win against Japan in their second Asia Cup fixture with a score of 3-2. Mandeep Singh showcased excellent grit and talent, and his drag flicks have become a subject of admiration. India gained an early 2-0 lead in the first quarter. The second quarter saw both sides fighting for midfield dominance, and Japan managed to lead a siege against them to score a goal.
The third quarter saw Japan raising a valiant fight for the win as Kawabe brought the score to 2-1, but then Harmanpreet had the perfect response with the final touch of the quarter, converting his drag flick to secure a brace. In the fourth quarter, India led 3-1, and Harmanpreet received a yellow card in the final stages of the match. The hosts managed to hold on and remain unbeaten in the tournament.
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