Sultan of Johor Cup: India Beat Japan 1-0

Johor Bahru (Malaysia), Oct 9 (PTI) Skipper Mandeep Mor's well-executed penalty corner in the 42nd minute helped Indian junior men's team beat Japan 1-0 to register their third successive victory at the 8th Sultan of Johor Cup here Tuesday.

The rain-affected India-Japan match which was stopped for a few minutes during the first quarter was an intensely fought one.

Indian attack was often challenged with good, disciplined defence structure that they adopted during the entire duration of play. Though India made a few chances in the opening quarter with the team winning a penalty corner, it was denied by a good Japanese defence.

With the second quarter too ending in a stalemate with both teams at 0-0, the third quarter saw India up their attack. While two penalty corners were awarded to India after a Japanese infringement, it was in the second attempt that Skipper Mandeep Mor converted a well-executed PC in the 42nd minute.

Leading by only a goal, India put all their might into defence with goalkeeper Pankaj Rajak making some excellent saves to keep his team in the lead.

India overcame a close shave when Japan won a penalty corner with minutes left for the final hooter, however, the chance was missed and India held their nerves to seal the match and the winning points.

Earlier in the tournament, India Colts had won 2-1 against Malaysia and 7-1 against New Zealand.

India will next take on defending champions Australia in their fourth match on October 10.

(The above story is verified and authored by Press Trust of India (PTI) staff. PTI, India’s premier news agency, employs more than 400 journalists and 500 stringers to cover almost every district and small town in India.. The views appearing in the above post do not reflect the opinions of LatestLY)