India Fight Back To Draw Japan In Junior Asia Cup
India staged a dramatic late fightback to secure a 3-3 draw against Japan in their second Pool A match of the Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament on Sunday, recovering after surrendering a two-goal lead and falling behind in the final minutes.
India had opened their campaign with a thumping 14-0 win over Indonesia but were forced to dig deep against a determined Japanese side.
Junior Asia Cup Hockey Starts Brightly
India made an excellent start, taking the lead in the fourth minute after Japan conceded a foul inside the circle.
Captain Anmol Ekka stepped up to convert the resulting penalty stroke and put India 1-0 ahead.
India continued to dominate the early exchanges and doubled their advantage in the 10th minute when Ashu Maurya converted a penalty corner.
Japan responded almost immediately. Ryushin Sasaki scored from a penalty corner in the 11th minute to reduce the deficit to 2-1.
The remainder of the first half was closely contested, with India unable to extend their lead and Japan struggling to find another breakthrough.
Japan Turns The Game Around
The third quarter remained evenly fought, with Japan creating opportunities but failing to capitalise on a penalty corner.
The momentum shifted decisively in the final quarter as Japan intensified their attacking pressure.
Japan earned a penalty corner and, after it was re-awarded, captain Kazuki Nakanishi found the target in the 48th minute to make it 2-2.
The Japanese continued to press and threatened to complete the comeback.
With five minutes remaining, another penalty corner created a major opportunity, although India’s defence initially kept Japan out. Japan earned another chance but sent the flick wide.
Anmol Ekka Saves India
Japan refused to let up and eventually earned another penalty corner with time running out.
Nakanishi stepped up once again and produced a successful flick in the 59th minute to give Japan a 3-2 lead.
India immediately removed their goalkeeper as they searched desperately for an equaliser.
Their persistence paid off when they earned a penalty corner with just 59 seconds remaining.
Anmol once again took responsibility and calmly converted the chance to level the contest at 3-3.
The late equaliser preserved a valuable point for India after Japan had overturned their early two-goal deficit.
India Face Korea Next
India will now turn their attention to their third Pool A encounter against Korea on Tuesday.
After the emphatic win over Indonesia and the hard-fought draw against Japan, India will look to secure a strong position in the Junior Asia Cup hockey group.
