India won the men’s Hero Asian Champions Trophy by a commanding 5-1 margin over Japan, their second consecutive success. Sukhjeet Singh scored twice, in the second and 60th minutes, while Abhishek (3rd), Sanjay (17th), and Uttam Singh (54th) also contributed. Matsumoto Kazumasa scored Japan’s only goal in the 41st minute.
India, coming off a 3-0 victory against China, got off to a great start, with Sukhjeet scoring a field goal in the first two minutes. Abhishek immediately followed, gliding past opponents to make the score 2-0. Sanjay expanded the lead in the 17th minute by converting a penalty corner. India maintained control, with 67% ball possession and 11 circle entries.
Japan, the 2023 bronze medallists, attempted to retaliate with a penalty corner in the 21st minute, but India’s defence stood fast. Despite Japan’s efforts, Kazumasa scored in the third quarter, but India quickly regained momentum when Uttam Singh scored in the 54th minute. Sukhjeet clinched the victory with a last goal in the 60th minute.
India faces Malaysia on Wednesday. The top four round-robin teams will progress to the semifinals on September 16, with the final scheduled on September 17.
