On a humid afternoon in Rajgir, the Indian men’s hockey team sealed their passage into the Super 4s of the Asia Cup hockey 2025 with a tense 3–2 victory over Japan.
For long stretches it looked like a straightforward win, but as is often the case when these two Asian rivals meet, the match ended with nerves frayed and hearts in mouths.
India, the defending champions and hosts, dominated possession, controlled territory, and looked comfortable after racing to a 2–0 lead inside the opening five minutes. Yet, defensive lapses and a late Japanese resurgence ensured the game went right down to the wire.
Once again, it was captain Harmanpreet Singh who proved the difference, his trademark drag-flicking providing the decisive blow at a crucial juncture.
India’s intent was evident from the opening whistle. Craig Fulton’s men pressed high and moved the ball sharply, unsettling a Japanese defence that had looked unbreachable in their tournament opener against Kazakhstan.
The breakthrough came as early as the fourth minute. A neat move from the left flank created a shooting opportunity, and veteran forward Mandeep Singh, calm amid a crowd of defenders, slotted home the opener. The Rajgir crowd roared as India went ahead, and the momentum carried straight into the next attack.
Barely a minute later, India were awarded their first penalty corner. Harmanpreet’s initial drag flick was repelled, but on review, the umpire re-awarded the set piece.
The Indian skipper made no mistake the second time, rifling a flick through the Japanese goalkeeper’s legs to double the lead. At 2–0 inside five minutes, India looked to be cruising.
For much of the first half, India dictated the tempo. The midfield trio of Hardik Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad orchestrated play with crisp passing, while Abhishek and Dilpreet provided constant movement up front.
Japan, known for their fast counterattacks and high work rate, struggled to impose themselves. Their penalty corner battery looked particularly toothless, failing to convert three chances in quick succession midway through the first half. Krishan Pathak, in goal for India during the first two quarters, was alert and made an excellent save to deny Kenta Tanaka.
At half-time, India led 2–0 and appeared in complete control. The only concern for Fulton might have been the tendency to switch off defensively – small gaps that Japan had not yet exploited.
Kawabe Sparks a Comeback
The second half began with Japan finally finding their attacking rhythm. In the 36th minute, they stunned the Indian defence. A sharp pass from Koji Kimura found Ryoma Kawabe, who shrugged off his marker and unleashed a ferocious reverse hit past Pathak. Suddenly, it was 2–1, and the contest had a new edge.
India’s response was professional. They settled back into structure, absorbed pressure, and looked to reassert control. As the third quarter ticked toward its close, they won another penalty corner. The Rajgir crowd knew what was coming.
And Harmanpreet delivered. His drag flick, executed with pinpoint precision, arrowed through the goalkeeper’s legs to restore the two-goal cushion at 3–1. It was his second of the day and yet another reminder of why he remains India’s most reliable source of goals.
The final quarter saw Japan throw everything forward. With Suraj Karkera replacing Pathak in goal, India braced themselves for a storm. Time and again, Japan won penalty corners, only for the Indian defence to hold firm.
But in the 58th minute, the game sprang back to life. A hopeful ball toward the baseline looked to be drifting out, but Kawabe refused to give up. He trapped it at full stretch, outmuscled Jarmanpreet Singh, and while falling, smashed an outrageous shot into the far corner. It was a brilliant individual goal – and suddenly, India’s 3–1 lead was cut to 3–2.
The tension was palpable. To make matters worse, captain Harmanpreet Singh was shown a yellow card in the final minute, leaving India to defend their slender lead with just ten men. Japan pressed hard, circling the Indian D and probing for an opening. But Karkera and the backline stood tall, hacking clear the last attack to the relief of the home crowd. The final hooter was greeted with a mixture of cheers and sighs of relief.
The Harmanpreet Factor
If there was one decisive element in the game, it was once again the brilliance of Harmanpreet Singh. His two penalty corner conversions took his tally for the tournament to five in two matches, following the hat-trick he scored against China in the opener.
More than just a goal-scorer, his presence brings India stability in defence and leadership under pressure. Even his late yellow card did not overshadow another commanding display. For Fulton, however, the over-reliance on his captain’s drag flicks remains a concern. Against stronger opponents in the later stages, India will need more open-play goals and greater defensive discipline.
India’s passage into the Super 4s with a game to spare is exactly what they would have hoped for when the tournament began. Two wins from two, six goals scored, and four points clear at the top of Pool A represent a solid start.
Yet, the performances have not been flawless. Against China, defensive lapses nearly cost India, and against Japan, the same story repeated in patches. While the penalty corner defence held up well, open-play marking and communication in the backline looked shaky.
For Fulton, these games serve as both a reminder of India’s strengths and a warning of areas needing immediate improvement. The midfield has been efficient, the attack lively, and the set-piece execution near-perfect. But in knockout stages, a single lapse could be fatal.
With top spot in Pool A all but secured, India will enter the Super 4s with confidence. The format will test consistency, as they are likely to face Asian heavyweights like Korea, Malaysia mostly .
The home crowd in Rajgir has played its part, providing a cauldron-like atmosphere that has lifted the players in crucial moments. For a team defending their title, that support could be decisive.
The spotlight, inevitably, will remain on Harmanpreet Singh. Already a modern legend of Indian hockey, he continues to build a legacy that may eventually see him mentioned alongside the greats of the game. His drag flicks are not just goals they are turning points, morale shifters, and match winners.
India’s 3–2 victory over Japan may not have been as comfortable as it once promised to be, but in tournaments of this magnitude, results matter more than style. Two wins in two games have ensured progression, and while questions remain about defensive resilience, Fulton and his men have shown they can find answers under pressure.
For now, the defending champions march on – battle-tested, buoyed by their captain’s brilliance, and very much in the hunt to retain their crown.
Final Score: India 3 – 2 Japan
(Goals: Mandeep Singh 4’, Harmanpreet Singh 5’, 45’; Kawabe 36’, 58’)
