India beat Japan 5-1, finish fifth in Asia Cup hockey

India trounced Japan 5-1 in a classification match to finish fifth in the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuantan on Friday.

Updated on: May 15, 2009, 20:38:31 IST

IANS | By HT Correspondent, Kuantan

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India trounced Japan 5-1 in a classification match to finish fifth in the Asia Cup hockey tournament in Kuantan on Friday.

Tushar Khandekar scored two goals (64th, 69th minutes) while Rajpal Singh (2nd minute), skipper Sandeep Singh (21st) and Prabhjot Singh (66th) sounded the board once each.

For Japan, Sakamoto Hiroki (31st minute) was the lone scorer.

Defending champions India were out of the medal contention after losing to Pakistan and drawing with China in the league stage.

India found the net twice in the first half and hit three goals in the last six minutes of the second half.

Rajpal scored the first goal through Tushar's cross from the right.

Substitute player Hariprasad earned India's first penalty corner which Sandeep flicked towards the centre of the net to increase the lead.

Hiroki knelt low to deflect a hit from left flank to reduce the margin in the 31st minute.

India loosened their grip in the second half as they went defensive, but Japan failed to take advantage.

Latching on to SV Sunil's pass, Tushar hit a reverse to make it 3-1.

Prabhjot, who missed a couple of opportunities, then scored a solo in the 66th minute before Tushar struck another goal with a reverse shot.

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