Asian Games Hockey: Abhishek's brace propels India men's team to 4-2 win over Japan - Highlights

8' Counterattack from Manpreet

Manpreet powers through the midfield, dodging past a couple of Japanese defenders. But the referee stops the play as Manpreet goes down. India 0-0 Japan.

5' Gurjant earns India a penalty corner, Harmanpreet misses target

Gurjant earns India the first penalty corner of India. Good stick work from him. He finds the foot of a Japanese player with a quick burst of speed into the D. Hardik injects, and Harmanpreet takes the drag flick. It is a lightning-fast shot, but goes wide. India 0-0 Japan.

4' Sukhjeet misses a chance

Jarmanpreet overlaps and gets into the D and sends a pass to Sukhjeet. Great miss, Sukhjeet cannot convert it. India 0-0 Japan.

3' Four substitutions by India

We are just three minutes into the game and India has made three changes into the playing XI. 

First quarter begins

The first quarter of the match begins. India tries to build pressure on Japan, with Jarmanpreet breaking into the D but Japan's defenders blocking his effort. 

Players are out

Two teams are out in the middle. And national anthems are being played before the kickoff. We are in the thick of India vs Japan action. 

Indian Starting XI out

Krishan Bahadur (Goalkeeper), Jarmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Varun Kumar, Harmanpreet Singh (captain), Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh, Abhishek, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh

India vs Japan: Head-to-Head record

India and Japan, the defending Asian Games gold medallist, will renew their rivalry after their semifinal meeting at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai in August. India won the match 5-0. In the group game, Japan held India to a 1-1 draw. 

Since 2013, the two Asian sides have met each other 26 times. India has won 21 matches and Japan thrice. Two matches ended in a draw.  Japan have won thrice, and two games have ended in a draw.

Welcome to India vs Japan Preliminary Pool A game

Hello and welcome to The Bridge's India-Japan men's hockey Pool A game at the 19th Asian Games. The match kicks off at 6:15 PM Indian Standard Time. Stay tuned for updates. Till then catch the live updates of the India versus Saudi Arabia Asian Games football match.