Asian Hockey Champions Trophy second semi final brought up big set back for Indian Hockey team who lost the match by 5-3 against Japan and now will play with Pakistan for Third position match.

The Indian team has historically dominated its semi-final opponent, Japan, in previous encounters. Out of the 18 matches played between the two teams, India emerged victorious in 16. During these matches, India scored a total of 81 goals, while Japan’s hockey team managed to score only 23 goals.

These records were reversed in a single game during the second semi-final of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, where the Japan Hockey team outclassed India in all departments.

Japan started the game with full pace, and in the second minute, Fujishima Raiki scored the first goal for his team. Dilpreet Singh leveled the score in the 17th minute, but in the 25th minute, Yamada Shota’s move edged Japan ahead once again. Just four minutes later, Kirishita Yoshiki scored another goal, and the first half ended with Japan leading 3-1.

The third quarter showcased Japan’s players’ agility, dribbling skills, and combination of passes. With exquisite control over the ball, Kawabe Kosei scored in the 35th minute, followed by Ooka Ryoma in the 41st minute, increasing Japan’s lead to 5-1.

The last quarter was Indian team do and die to save the title and they fought well but the lead was not manageable for them to level, though Harman Preet Singh scored in 53rd and Hardik Singh in 59th minute but it was only to reduce the margin to 5-3.

Indian team poor display questioned the management domination in Asian Hockey and International Federation as well and now Hockey Pundits in India are discussing and criticising indian defeat from low ranked Japan team.

India will face arch-rival Pakistan in the third position match tomorrow in Dhaka.