Pathetic performance of men’s hockey team continues and draw the last game of the tournament against Japan to finish last in the tournament. The Indian team started the game well when Amir Khan and Danish Mujtaba scored one goal each in first 16 minutes of the game. But, Japan decreased the goal difference when they pulled a goal through penalty corner earned in 26th minute.
India went into half time with the scoreline of 2-1. Second half saw Japan equalizing early and bring the score to 2-2. A penalty corner goal by drag-flicker Sandeep Singh and a beauty of goal by Bharat Chikkara saw Indian team take the 4-2 lead.
India was sure to win the game as they kept their lead till 65th minute of the game. But in the end, the team did what it does the best, concede goals. It was thought that India will be able to hold the lead and win the game but it was not the case. The last goal from Japan came when it was just before 48 seconds of buzzing of hooter. India received 3 penalty corners in the last minute but, they were unable to convert any. While Japan fared little better with the penalty corner conversion.
There is not one thing that India can learn from this tournament. Lackluster display from Indian team does not show better future for the team. India will now play test series with Belgium, a team ranked lower than the Indian team. Beating them might bring some confidence for the team. But the question is will India beat them?
