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India come from behind to beat Japan 4-1 and win sixth Asian Champions Trophy
Down to a third-minute goal in Mohali, Harmanpreet Singh's side struck four times in the last 18 minutes for a record sixth title and a third in a row.
Key points
- India beat Japan 4-1 in the final in Mohali on Thursday night.
- It is a record sixth title, and India's third in a row.
- India went through the tournament without losing a match.
India won the men’s Asian Champions Trophy for a record sixth time on Thursday night, beating Japan 4-1 in Mohali after trailing for most of the match. It is their third title in a row, and they finished the tournament unbeaten.
Japan, still chasing their first title, struck first. Kazumasa Matsumoto scored in the third minute, driving into the circle from the right and finishing with a reverse hit. Japan’s tight marking kept India out for the rest of the first half, and the home side did not win a penalty corner in the first two quarters.
How the final turned
India came out sharper after the break. Japan goalkeeper Kuroda saved from Harmanpreet Singh at a penalty corner before Shilanand Lakra equalised in the 42nd minute, deflecting in a penalty-corner variation. Japan’s review for dangerous play was turned down.
The last quarter belonged to India. Dilpreet Singh turned and scored after a move involving Sanjay and Hardik Singh, Jugraj Singh drag-flicked a penalty corner into the net, and Sukhjeet Singh deflected in a Vivek Sagar Prasad shot from the top of the circle. Japan’s final penalty corner went wide.
Records and rewards
Harmanpreet finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 10 goals and was named its best player, while Krishan Bahadur Pathak was chosen as the best goalkeeper. Hardik Singh played his 200th senior international in the final. Hockey India was reported to have announced ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
Earlier on Thursday, Malaysia took bronze by beating South Korea 5-2.