Asian Champions Trophy | India smash 10 past Japan in their opening game

1st Quarter

However, it didn’t take India long to double their lead as Rupinder Pal Singh placed the ball into the goal off a penalty corner with just seven minutes played. The Japanese players tried to close Rupinder down but the penalty expert calmly hit the back of the net as India gained a comfortable lead.

As Japan struggled to make an impact in the game, Ramandeep piled on the pressure with a beautifully placed goal off a snap shot from the top of the box to make it 4-0.

2nd Quarter

When India were awarded another penalty corner, Japan knew the result as Rupinder went to the keeper's right to make the scoreline 7-0.

After that barrage of goals from India, Japan finally managed to put one through. Chinglensana, who had very little to do all game, suffered a loss of concentration as he was robbed of the ball by Sakamoto. The Japanese captain placed the ball for Tanaka, who had to slide in to put Japan on the scoreboard. At the half-way stage India found themselves with a formidable lead of seven goals to one, which could have been more as India had 23 shots in the first half.

Japan started the second half better as they tightened up their defence and started moving the ball better.

The first chance of the third quarter came off yet another penalty corner. However, it was Japan who tested India, but found Sreejesh up for the challenge as the Indian shot-stopper made a brilliant save way down to his right.

India had chances of their own through penalty corners, but Rupinder was unable to repeat his first-half heroics missing three penalty corners in a row.

4th Quarter

The team responded in the very first attack of the last quarter winning a penalty corner that Japan reviewed. When the review proved the penalty corner was legitimate, Rupinder, who had missed his last three, made no mistake as India restored their six-goal advantage.

The 25-year-old was at it again a couple of minutes later has he took his personal tally from the game to 6 with the scoreboard reading 9-2.

After the goal, India took their foot off the gas and saw out the game at 10-2. While this proved to be an easy game, the real test arrives in a couple of games when they play neighbors Pakistan, which is expected to be a heated affair.