Junior India hockey team edge Japan 1-0 in Sultan of Johor Cup

India junior hockey team extended their unbeaten streak to three matches after beating Japan 1-0 victories at the 8^th Sultan of Johor Cup on Tuesday.

Skipper Mandeep Mor scored the lone goal from a penalty in the highly contested yet rain-affected match. The play had to be stopped for few minutes in the first quarter as incessant rain made it almost impossible to carry on with the match.

India attacked hard and high – when play resumed – putting more men up front but most of their chances were thwarted by an organised Japanese defence throughout the match. Last edition’s bronze medallist, India, even won a penalty corner but it was kept out by the Japanese custodian.

The second quarter also ended in a similar manner with India attacking but not being able to break the Japanese defence. The goal finally came in the third quarter when India were awarded back-to-back penalty corners. Mandeep’s first attempt was blocked but the skipper scored from the second in the 42^nd minute as India took the vital lead.

They were, however, soon put on the backfoot by Japan’s attacking creditability. Indian custodian Pankaj Rajak pulled out some brilliant saves to deny Japan any chance of a comeback into the match. His most important save was from the Japanese penalty corner with minutes left for the final whistle.

India had earlier, mauled New Zealand 7-1 in their opening match of the competition, before seeing off Malaysia 2-1 in their next. The two-time champions next take on defending champions Australia in their fourth match on October 10.

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