Asian Games 2023: The Indian team's championship victory gave them time to train before the 2024 Olympics without having to worry about or make plans around the qualifying rounds.
The Indians moved en masse up the pitch along both the flanks and the centre, but Japan remained firm, keeping the game in the opposing half.
In the eleventh minute, Abhishek created a fantastic opportunity out of nothing. He stole the ball at the half-line, ran off with it, and then crossed inside, but Manpreet was unable to control it.
Japan barely had a chance to see the Indian goal as the Indian defence expertly blocked each shot.
Two PCs were also wasted, but the former captain made up for it in the 25th minute by putting in a rebound from the top of the circle to break the tie and Japan's resiliency.
India needed that start, and even if the score was only 1-0 at the break, barely a lead in today's hockey, the game had India written all over it.
The team ranked third in the world was fitter, stronger, more talented, and obviously more ready for the crucial match.
Soon after the restart, in the 32nd minute, Harmanpreet successfully converted a PC. Four minutes later, Amit Rohidas also did so, and it wasn't until the closing 30 seconds of the third quarter that Japan made any progress towards the Indian 23-yard line.
India possessed such control.
Hardik served as the pivot once more, but Vivek Sagar Prasad and Sumit were always able to jump in when he moved up or down. As always, Nilakanta Sharma served as the group's constant, unwavering heartbeat.
The Indian goalkeepers had little else to do but kept themselves occupied by yelling instructions from behind. It was all but over when Abhishek made a beautiful shot in the 48th after being assisted by Hardik from just outside the circle.
In the final 15 minutes, Japan upped the ante and went for the win, attacking with ferocity, rushing and overlapping nonstop, attempting to find a gap.
Seren Tanaka was credited with the game's first PC in the 51st minute, a tribute to India's flawless defence, but that proved to be the only hiccup in what was otherwise a nearly flawless performance by India.
