Kuantan: Indian junior hockey team staged a magnificent comeback to beat Japan 2-1 in their opening match of the Junior Men's Asia Cup Hockey.
The group stages will be played from 14- 17 November and will next see India in action against the host team Malaysia who were also victorious in their encounter against China earlier in the day.
The first half began with Indian captain Harjeet Sing being issued a yellow card in the first minute of the match which led to India being reduced to 10 men momentarily.
Japan drew first blood eight minutes before the end of the first half, converting a penalty corner.
India soon levelled the score at 1-1 through a penalty corner that saw Harmanpreet Singh scoring his first goal of the tournament. The end of the first half saw Japan again being awarded a penalty corner but it was saved efficiently by Suraj Karkera the Indian goalkeeper.
The second half began with the Indian colts pressing hard on the Japanese team. Their hard work saw results through a penalty corner that was converted again to a goal by Harmanpreet Singh, giving India the much needed lead in the match 2-1.
There after India controlled the game, rarely allowing the Japanese forwards to make way.
Coach Harendra Singh said, "We have been working pretty hard on our attack and defence and we feel that it has really paid off. The hard work in the camp back home has helped us counter the Japanese speed and we managed to gain our first win. The boys played really well and Harmanpreet's brace will do him a world of confidence."
India is placed in Pool A with Malaysia, Japan and China.
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