India Faces Japan in Crucial Asia Cup Clash

The Indian men’s hockey team, ranked seventh globally, must elevate their performance to counter a formidable Japan in their second Pool A match at the Hero Men’s Asia Cup 2025 on Sunday, August 31, at Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Following a shaky 4-3 victory over world No. 23 China on August 29, where captain Harmanpreet Singh’s hat-trick from penalty corners (PCs) secured a narrow win, India faces a sterner test against the world No. 18 Japanese side, who crushed Kazakhstan 7-0 in their opener, showcasing their attacking prowess and speed.

India’s campaign, critical for securing a direct berth in the 2026 FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and Netherlands, exposed vulnerabilities against China. Despite dominating possession (53%) and circle entries (16 vs. China’s 8), the team conceded three soft PC goals, highlighting defensive lapses. Coach Craig Fulton admitted, “We didn’t play to our expectations, conceding soft goals,” emphasizing the need for a tighter backline against Japan’s fast-paced counterattacks. Harmanpreet stressed maintaining a “strong defensive line” to counter Japan’s deep-defending, counterattacking style, which netted goals from Kosai Kaware (1’), Naru Kimura (5’), and others in their rout of Kazakhstan.

India’s strength lies in their PC arsenal, with drag-flickers Harmanpreet, Jugraj Singh, Amit Rohidas, and Sanjay, but their 4/11 conversion rate against China (compared to China’s 3/6) needs improvement. The midfield, led by Manpreet Singh and Vivek Sagar Prasad, created numerous chances, but forwards Mandeep Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Dilpreet Singh failed to score from open play, a concern Fulton aims to address. Japan’s disciplined defense, anchored by captain Raiki Fujishima and goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa, will challenge India’s forwards, who must capitalize on field opportunities to avoid over-reliance on PCs.

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Japan, the 2018 Asian Games champions, poses a threat after defeating India 5-3 in the 2022 Asia Cup, a rare loss for India against an Asian side. Coach Manabu Yamashita’s squad, blending youth like Yamato Kawahara with veterans like Ken Nagayoshi, excels in quick transitions, as seen in their seven-goal haul. India, with a historical edge (18 wins in 24 matches against Japan), cannot afford complacency after their recent FIH Pro League struggles, where they lost seven of eight games.

Fulton, banking on an experienced squad with 14 players boasting over 100 caps, sees the match as a chance to restore confidence. “We’re ready for the challenge,” he said, citing rigorous preparations in Perth. The home crowd, with free tickets snapped up in 10 minutes, will boost morale at the packed Rajgir stadium. A win is crucial to top Pool A, alongside China and Kazakhstan, before facing Kazakhstan on September 1. The top two teams advance to the Super 4s, with the final on September 7 offering a World Cup spot. Fans can watch live on Sony Sports Network or SonyLIV at 3:00 PM IST, with international viewers on Watch.Hockey.

Teams:

• India: Krishan B Pathak (GK), Suraj Karkera (GK), Sumit, Jarmanpreet Singh, Sanjay, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Amit Rohidas, Jugraj Singh, Rajinder Singh, Raj Kumar Pal, Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, Shilanand Lakra, Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Dilpreet Singh.
• Japan: Shota Yamada, Yuto Higuchi, Yamato Kawahara, Seren Tanaka, Naru Kimura, Kazumasa Matsumoto, Manabu Yamashita, Raiki Fujishima (C), Ken Nagayoshi, Yusuke Kawamura, Kosei Kawabe, Takashi Yoshikawa (GK), Kisho Kuroda (GK), Keita Watanabe, Ryosuke Shinohara, Hyota Yamada.

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