- Sunday, April 28, 2024
The South Asian side, which thumped Japan 5-1 in the final, scored 68 goals in the tournament while conceded only nine.
By: Shubham Ghosh
INDIA gave a perfect finishing touch to their brilliant campaign at the Asian Games men’s hockey tournament on Friday (6) when they decimated Japan 5-1 in the final in Hangzhou, China, to clinch the gold. The win also gave the Asian side, which won a medal (bronze) at Tokyo Olympics after a gap of 41 years, to qualify for next year’s Paris Olympics.
It was also India’s fourth gold medal at Asian Games hockey, a success they had last scripted in Incheon, South Korea, in 2014 when they beat arch-rivals Pakistan in the final. India are now the joint second-highest winners of the gold medal at Asian Games men’s hockey with South Korea. Pakistan have won the crown the most number of times — eight. India finished with the bronze in the Jakarta edition five years ago.
India were dominant throughout the tournament, pumping in 58 goals in their five group games where they hammered Uzbekistan 16-0, Singapore 16-1, Japan 4-2, Pakistan 10-2 and Bangladesh 12-0. They had a stiff test against South Korea in the semi-final but overcame the hurdle 5-3.
Japan were more focussed in containing India in the first half of the final and the first quarter ended nil-nil. India got a penalty corner but could not convert. The Japanese, who won gold in Jakarta, were disciplined in the second quarter as well but India got a lead in the 25th minute when Manpreet Singh scored. India were leading 1-0 at half time.
Japan became more desperate post the break and became more vulnerable, allowing India to extend their lead. Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored in the 32nd minute before Amit Rohidas (36th minute) and Abhishek (48th minute) made it 4-0 in India’s favour.
Seren Tanaka pulled one back for the Japanese in the 51st minute but Harmanpreet scored his second in the 59th to ensure that the drubbing was complete.
South Korea won the bronze by beating hosts China 2-1.
