India were fidgety at the start and conceded an array of attacks from Japan in the opening few minutes of the game; however, the side grew in confidence in the third quarter after Pawan Rajbhar gave the side the lead in the 34th minute. Towards the fourth quarter, Japan players looked out of energy and India deservingly take the three points.

India only need to keep the ball possesstion for 30 seconds now

India successful in clearing the danger for now. Less than 2 minutes remaining now

India 2-1 Japan

Not good for India. Japan have won their first penalty corner of the quarter

Update: India have taken a video referral, The decision is overturned! It’s a free hit for Japan

Good news for the Indian team as Karthi Selvam, who took a knock on his left leg earlier in the quarter, is back on the turf

3 minutes remaining. India 2-1 Japan

Can India hold their lead? Less than five minutes remaining in the game.

India 2-1 Japan

India were nervy at the start of this game, but over the past two quarters, it has been a brilliant performance from this young side. A lot more circle penetrations from India and Japan have to often reply on long passes to get into the circle

India 2-1 Japan

But the gum shield saves him. The pass from Japanese player deflects off Maninder’s stick and hits him near his jaw; however, the gum shield has prevented a potential injury. Maninder being treated as well now

India 2-1 Japan

A lot more disciplined start for India in the fourth and final quarter. India have enjoyed more possession on the ball and most of the action has taken place in the Japanese half so far

It was a heavy landing on his left leg and physios are treating Selvam in the dugout.

Just wide of the goal from India and it seems Karthi Selvam had picked up a knock. Selvam waits for the cross from the left flank but falls after facing pressure from the Japanese defender.

The final 15 minutes of the game begin. Japan chase an equaliser, India look to maintain their lead.

Pawan Rajbhar’s goal ensures India a 2-1 lead against Japan at the end of the third quarter. India’s best quarter by a country mile, this one.

Indian players increasing in confidence as the game goes by. Terrific movements and positioning, especially in the defence and even forwards like SV Sunil are tracking back to defend whenever needed. Brilliant show in the third quarter so far

India 2-1 Japan

Hard tackle from Pawan Rajbhar and referee blows the whistle for PC.

Update: Missed! Bit of a miscommunication between the Japanese players, coupled by great defending from India. India maintain their lead.

India 2-1 Japan

Uttam Singh again! He makes another similar run on the left flank, but the Japanese defenders were alert this time. Good defence.

India 2-1 Japan

PAWAN RAJBHAR! What a goal. Uttam Singh does well to keep the ball inside the baseline before passing it back to Rajbhar, and Pawan takes a touch before slotting it in. The ball deflects off the keeper’s gloves into the net.

Loose final pass again. Good start from India in this quarter, however. A lot more intensity in defence in the opening few minutes

Japan attacking right to left, as they kickstart the third quarter

Sardar Singh, the coach of the Indian team for this competition, is giving a final team talk before the players take to the turf for the start of the third quarter.

Japan have been a dominant side in terms of possession, but it’s all even at half-time between both sides. Manjeet Singh gave India an early lead through a brilliant solo goal, but Takuma Niwa equalised for Japan in the second quarter through a penalty corner.

Poor from Maninder. He took the shot after referee blew his whistle, and the Japan goalkeeper wasn’t pleased with the Indian forward. India down to 10 men.

India 1-1 Japan

But poor final pass. Pawan Rajbhar makes a great run and had three Indian forwards in front of him, but the pass from Rajbhar had too much pace for Raj Kumar to collect. A wasted chance

India 1-1 Japan

Almost the entire action in the second quarter so far has taken place in India’s half so far. Relentless attack from Japan, and the Indian defence has done a good job to hold them so far. Less than six minutes remaining in Q2

It’s raining PCs for Japan in this quarter!

Update: Another save from Karkera, and the second attempt from Japan forward hits the cross bar.

India 1-1 Japan

But Karkera makes another big save. No goal on the rebound for Japan this time, and India did make a great attempt at counter-attack through Birendra Lakra, but Japan defend successfully.

Japan win the first penalty corner in the second quarter as well. Relentless attack from the Japs finally pays off

GOAL! Japan score! It was a brilliant save by Karkera but Takuma Niwa scores through rebound

Players out on the field for the start of the second quarter.

Manjeet Singh’s brilliant solo goal assures India a 1-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.

But to no avail. Japan counter-attacked straightaway after the failed penalty corner but fail to equalise, as the pass from the Japanese forward inside the circle goes astray.

India 1-0 Japan

Maninder Singh wins India a first penalty corner of the match! He cleverly hits the ball to the foot of the Japanese defender

Update: Missed! Nilam Sanjeep fails to slot it in as his shot hits his own teammate, SV Sunil.

Japan pressed the Indian defence immediately after Manjeet’s incredible goal but the Indian defenders see off the attack. More urgency from Japan now

India 1-0 Japan

WHAT A GOAL! That has come out of nowhere! Manjeet with a brilliant solo goal! Manjeet takes a brilliant run from the left flank and keeps the ball inside the line, beating two Japs on the way before slotting the ball left of the goalkeeper to give India a lead.

Tricky phase for India early on but the defenders avert the danger successfully. Going to be a long game for India defenders by the looks of it

India begin the attack from right to left but it’s Japan who have won an early penalty corner in the game.

Update: Missed! Long corner for Japan

We are done with the national anthems and the action is set to begin at the GBK Stadium in Jakarta.

The players are out on the turf. We begin with the national anthems first – India, followed by Japan.

Malaysia has drawn with South Korea 2-2 in the first game of the Super 4s, which means a win will take either of Japan or India to the top of the table for now.

As expected, the GBK Stadium in Jakarta sees a sea of Indian flags. Massive support for the Indian team in their first game of the Super 4s!

It has been a long-standing issue for India. In the ongoing tournament, however, India have still been above-par when comparing their own performances from the past. In 22 penalty corners, India have converted 9. Against Japan, however, the Men in Blue cannot afford to throw away chances.

Birendra Lakra will be key as India will be aiming for a high quality defensive performance against a dangerous Japan side. Among forwards, Dipan Tirkey, who is coming fresh from his brilliant outing against Indonesia, will be aiming to continue on the momentum.

There were as many as 10 players in line for a senior debut before India’s first game of the tournament against Pakistan. India are testing their bench strength in the tournament, and consistent performances in Asia Cup can open the doors for many of these youngsters for participation in the Commonwealth Games, that take place in Birmingham later this year.

Japan are currently the reigning Asian Games champions, but they have never won the Asia Cup. India, meanwhile, are the defending champions of the tournament and have won it on three occasions so far.

Birendra Lakra (C), Suraj Karkera (GK), Karthi Selvam, Nilam Sanjeep Xess, SV Sunil, Raj Kumar Pal, Sheshe Gowda, Maninder Singh, Vishnukant Singh, Manjeet, Abhishek Lakra

India 1-1 Pakistan

India 2-5 Japan

India 16-0 Indonesia

Dipsan Tirkey is currently India’s leading goalscorer in the Asia Cup, with five goals to his name so far. Incidentally, all of his goals came in the game against Indonesia!

Japan were a far more dominant side in their previous encounter in the Asia Cup 2022, with India conceding a 2-5 defeat in the game. India’s first goal came in the 45th minute of the match through Pawan, but Japan doubled their lead merely four minutes later to deny the Men in Blue an opportunity for a comeback.

Malaysia and South Korea met in the first game of the Super 4s earlier today, and a tight contest between both sides ended in a 2-2 draw. So, if India manage to defeat Japan tonight, they will go top of the table.

India needed 15 goals against Indonesia to go above Pakistan on Goal Difference (GD) and qualify for the Super 4s. And with merely two minutes to go in the game, Dipsan Tirkey took India to the mark with a goal through a penalty corner. India eventually won 16-0 to keep their bid for the Asia Cup title alive.

Hello and welcome to the live coverage of India vs Japan in the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022. A young Indian side will be aiming to continue their bid to defend the Asian champions tag, while Japan will look to put out a repeat of their earlier encounter against the Men in Blue, when they defeated the side 5-2.