In a display that can be construed as coming of age, Mandeep Singh, the 21-year old striker struck a hat-trick to destroy Japanese hopes of an upset as India with a huge sigh of relief crossed the finish line with a 4-3 victory against the world's 16th ranked team
Indian hockey players
Indian players celebrate a goal against Japan yesterday. Pic/PTI
In a display that can be construed as coming of age, Mandeep Singh, the 21-year old striker struck a hat-trick to destroy Japanese hopes of an upset as India with a huge sigh of relief crossed the finish line with a 4-3 victory against the world's 16th ranked team.
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India now move to third in the table standings with seven points - behind Australia and Great Britain and will play their last group match against host Malaysia today.
India had their first penalty corner in the 6th minute and Rupinder Pal Singh drove the ball into the top of the net. In the 10th minute, Masaki Ohashi ran in unchecked by two defenders and relayed the ball to Kazuma who deflected it in past Akash Chikte to make it 1-1.
Japan stormed back again to take the lead in the 43rd minute through Heita Yoshihara. India equalised via a Mandeep Singh goal. Japan immediately scored through Genki Mitani to take a 3-2 lead.
With nine minutes left in the match, Mandeep pushed it in as India equalised for the second time in the match.
The match-winner was a brilliant effort that came off a Rupinder Pal Singh cross.
Mandeep with his back to goal swiveled and let loose a reverse shot that beat the Japanese goalkeeper Shimotto, who was all ends up.
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