Hockey: India thrashed Japan 6-0 in Nations' Invitational

Tauranga (New Zealand), Jan 17 Dilpreet Singh and debutant Vivek Sagar Prasad struck a support each as the Indian men's hockey group thrashed Japan 6-0 in its opening match of the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Tournament here today.

Aside from Dilpreet (35', 45') and Vivek (12', 28'), Rupinder (7') and Harmanpreet Singh (41') additionally scored in India's win.

The group got off to a dominant begin, controlling the ball rather quickly, going around perfectly and rapidly to enter the Japanese circle.

India won their first penalty corner of the game in the seventh minute and it was young gun Harmanpreet Singh, who ventured up to drag flick.

His endeavor however was blocked yet since the deterrent fell off his body, India were granted a punishment stroke.

Experienced drag-flicker Rupinder barely started to sweat in changing over a staggering objective to bring India a 1-0 early lead.

India's second goal came in the twelfth minute when debutant Vivek rushed to get a bounce back and savagely strike the ball past the Japanese goal keeper earning India a 2-0 lead.

The second quarter saw India defend their lead as they were tenacious in making weight on Japan, pressing them high up continually, once in a while giving them a chance to enter India's D.

In the mean time, Vivek Prasad found another superb open door in the 28th moment to score, as the Indian assailants broke into the Japanese guard.

Vivek was quick to get an aid the circle and put the ball in the objective inside no time. The groups went into the half time break with India having an agreeable 3-0 lead.

In the 35th moment, a splendid run-in from Mandeep Singh, who discovered Dilpreet in the circle, made an objective scoring open door for India.

In spite of the fact that Dilpreet's first endeavor was cushioned away by the Japan manager, he rushed to lift it up again and put into the nets bringing India's fourth goal.

Japan earned their first punishment corner of the match in the 40th moment, yet couldn't discover achievement. In the next moment a foot foul by a Japanese protector won India their second PC which was splendidly executed by Harmanpreet Singh as India led 5-0.

An outstanding bit of play in the hover, opened up a shot for Dilpreet Singh to shoot from the highest point of the circle.

His attempt was right on spot taking India's prompt an imposing 6-0 in the 45th minute.

The final quarter saw India defend well, giving no space for Japan to score a consolation goal.

India will go up against Belgium in their second match tomorrow.