Host Indian came from behind to hold reigning Asian Games champions Japan to 1-1 draw in their second league match of the 7th Mens Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai, Tamil Nadu today.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored the equaliser for India in the 43rd minute after Ken Nagayoshi gave Japan the lead in the 28th minute. India will next meet Malaysia on August 6.
Earlier in the first two matches of the day, Pakistan held defending champions Korea to 1-1 draw, while Malaysia mauled China 5-1. Firhan Ashari scored a brace of Malaysia.
RESULTS:
August 5 (Match 4): Pakistan (Abdul Shahid 18-FG) drew with Korea (Jihun Yang 53-PS) 1-1. PoM: Abdul Shahid.
August 5 (Match 5): Malaysia (Faizal Saari 11-PC, Kamal Abu Azrai 15-PC, Firhan Ashari 45-FG, 49-FG; Najmi Jazlan 57-PC) beat China (Chongcong Chen 4-FG) 5-1. PoM: Kamal Abu Azrai.
August 5 (Match 6): India (Harmanpreet Singh 43-PC) drew with Japan (Ken Nagayoshi 28-PC) 1-1. PoM: Ken Nagayoshi.
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PHOTO: India captain Harmanpreet Singh (Left) celebrates after scoring the equalizer against Japan during their Champions Trophy match in Chennai on 4 August 2023.