Rajgir: The Indian Men’s Hockey Team maintained their winning streak in the Hero Men’s Asia Cup Rajgir Bihar 2025 with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Japan in their second Pool A match at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium on Sunday.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh (5′, 46′) and Mandeep Singh (4′) were on target for India, while Kosei Kawabe scored a brace (38′, 59′) for Japan. The win ensures India’s progression to the Super 4s stage. The match also marked a milestone for Indian goalkeeper Krishan B Pathak, who celebrated his 150th international appearance.
India started strongly, scoring two quick goals in the opening five minutes. In the fourth minute, Sukhjeet Singh delivered a precise pass to Mandeep Singh, who beat his marker and slotted the ball into the net. Immediately after, India earned their first Penalty Corner, and after two retakes, Captain Harmanpreet Singh converted a powerful shot that deflected off the Japanese goalkeeper’s foot to double the lead. Japan had a Penalty Corner in the 13th minute but could not capitalize.
The second quarter saw Japan raising their game with end-to-end action, yet India’s solid defence preserved the lead. Ryosuke Shinohara came close for Japan in the 19th minute, but his shot went narrowly wide. Japan earned another Penalty Corner in the 24th minute, which was brilliantly blocked by India’s defence. India also had a late first-half Penalty Corner, but Amit Rohidas’ drag flick missed the target.
Japan broke through in the third quarter as Kosei Kawabe finished an angled shot into the bottom right corner (38′). Buoyed by the goal, Japan pushed aggressively for an equaliser, but India controlled possession and tempo to stay ahead. In the final moments of the quarter, India won a crucial Penalty Corner, with Harmanpreet Singh skillfully converting through the goalkeeper’s legs (46′) to restore a two-goal cushion.
The final quarter began with Japan earning a Penalty Corner, only to be denied by two brilliant saves from Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera. Abhishek nearly extended India’s lead with a strong backhand effort, but the Japanese keeper saved it. In the 59th minute, Kosei Kawabe scored his second to reduce the deficit. Captain Harmanpreet Singh received a yellow card in the final minute, leaving India with ten men, but they managed the game smartly to secure the win.
India will face Kazakhstan in their next Men’s Asia Cup match in Rajgir, Bihar, on Monday, September 1.
