Asian Hockey Champions Trophy, India vs Japan, live score and updates: IND beat JPN, enter final

Defending champions India eked out a close 3-2 win over Asian Games gold medalist Japan to enter the final of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) hockey tournament, here on Saturday.It turned out to be a tall task for the world no. 5 Indians to get past Japan against whom they had registered a convincing 9-0 win in the league stages.Young striker Gurjant Singh gave India the lead in the 19th minute with a fine reverse hit field goal before Japan equalised through Wakuri three minutes later from a penalty corner. After the change of ends, India restored their lead when Chinglensana Singh deflected in from a penalty corner in the 44th minute.Catch all the action as India take on Japan in the semifinal of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.

00:16 hrs IST

That’s it, thanks for joining us

That’s it from us, do join us for the final on Sunday as India lock horns against Pakistan.

00:14 hrs IST

What a final instore

India vs Pakistan, on a Sunday what a day. what a match it promises to be.

00:12 hrs IST

India through to the final

It’s all over; India beat Japan 3-2 in the final of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy. India now play Pakistan in the final on Sunday. Gurjant Singh, Chinlengsana and Dilpreet scored one goal each as India swept aside Japan to reach the final of Asian Hockey Champions Trophy.

00:04 hrs IST

A goal at each end

Dilpreet gave what looked like a winning goal but Japan pulled one goal back and the score line now reads 3-2 as we head into the last couple of minutes of the game.

23:55 hrs IST

Chances coming thick and fast

Chances are coming thick and fast for India akashdeep with the latest one. Prior to that it was Jarmanpreet and Manpreet who had worked an opportunity.

23:50 hrs IST

India going for third

India are not settling for a 2-1 win. they want to make it comfortable as we move towards the last few minutes of what has been a real tense game.

23:46 hrs IST

India lead again

GOAL!!!!!! India lead once again and it’s Chinglensana who gives India what could be a priceless lead. 2-1 the score.

23:40 Hrs IST

Chance(s) for India

Surender with a big chance for India as he charges into the box but his chance flies well wide. Nilkanta then has a chance which is once again blocked.

23:33 hrs IST

Not the same intensity

The game is meandering, it doesn’t have the same intensity it had in the first half. India would want to finish in normal time and avoid the lottery of the shootout.

23:30 hrs IST

Q3 is underway

The third quarter is underway. India need to improve.

23:20 hrs IST

Half time, scores level

Half time and the scores are level at 1-1. Gurjant for India and Wakuri for Japan.

23:15 hrs IST

Japan confident

Japan have got confidence from their goal. They look more positive but still respecting India.

23:10 hrs IST

Japan Equalise

Japan have equalized and the scores are once again level. 1-1 the score. Wakuri the scorer. Poor from India.

23:05 hrs IST

India take lead

GOAL!!! Gurjant gives India a well dserved lead. To be honest it had been coming. Mountain ahead for Japan. 1-0 IND

23:01 hrs IST

More of the same

The game is the same as it was in Q1. India have the onus on them to make it happen. Japan will happily take a draw and fancy their chances in the shootout.

22:58 hrs IST

End of Q1

End of Q1 and we still wait the breakthrough between India and Japan. 0-0 the score

22:56 hrs IST

Chance for India

Gurjant has a chance to break the deadlock but the keeper saves. Mandeep has another chance minutes later but it’s wide. India need to be clinical in this game.

22:54 hrs IST

Japan Compact!

India will have to work hard to get over the line in this game. Japan are very compact and giving away nothing. It won’t be 9-0 by the looks of it.

22:48 hrs IST

India dominating possession

India have been visibly the dominant side in the game. Japan sitting back and absorbing the pressure. Will this work for them only time will tell!! 0-0 still.

22:43 hrs IST

Early PC wasted

India are awarded an early Penalty corner and it’s wasted. On the positive note it’s a good start by India.

22:40 hrs IST

Underway in Muscat

The match is underway. India in Blue and Japan in Red.

22:34 hrs IST

Previous meeting

The last time the two teams met India dealt a massive thrashing to Japan. 9-0 it ended and Japan would be fearful of what India can do.

22:19 hrs IST

Pakistan lie in wait

Pakistan lie in wait for whoever comes through this match. Pakistan beat Malaysia 3-1 in the shootout, that after the match ended in a 4-4 draw in the normal time.

22:15 hrs IST

Hello and Welcome

Hello and welcome to the live blog for the semifinal of the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy as India take on Japan.