Second win ensures India a place in semis

With Japan losing both their matches — they lost their opening match to Korea 0-4 on Sunday — India’s second win assures them of a top-two finish in Group A, guaranteeing them a semi-final slot.

India had earlier defeated Hong Kong 5-1 and next play South Korea on Friday.

Japan, who had held Bangkok Games gold medallist India to a draw in their previous encounter in the Kuala Lumpur World Cup earlier this year, seemed once again to upset the calculations of the Asian powerhouse.

But once Deepak Thakur gave them the opening goal in 20th minute, India broke Japan’s stranglehold and took command of the match. The second goal came 10 minutes into the second half when Pillay slammed in a rebound from the Japanese goalstopper’s block off a Gagan Ajit Singh shot. The third, which came in the 55th minute, was a combination of fantastic move by Ignace Tirkey who weaved past two defender and smart finish by Dhillon.

A beaming coach Rajinder Singh said India played to their potential today with the defence, midfield and forward line dishing out excellent hockey.