India vs Japan Highlights Asia Cup 2022: Japan beat India 5-2

We are done with the contest and India endure a tough 5-2 defeat against Japan. With this defeat, India will still find themselves at the third position of the Pool A table. Japan will move to the top spot, with two wins from the same number of matches.

Kawabe Kosei makes a forward run, goes past one defender and pushes the ball towards the goal, which is saved by Suraj. However, the Japanese finds the net in the second attempt as Japan have a three goal advantage. 

India now lose Karthik Selvam, who gets a yellow card. Japan uses the advantage and extend their lead to 4-2. Yamasaki Koji scores the goal.

With just over seven minutes remaining in the clock, India go a man down. Pawan Rajbhar is shown a green card. 

Meanwhile, Japan builds an attack but fails to find the goal. 

There's a penalty corner for India, which was challenged by Japanese, who lose their referall. Pawan Rajbhar takes the penalty corner and there's a variation by the Indian while taking the setpiece as the ball is passed back to Rajbhar. However, his shot goes wide as Japan maintain the one-goal advantage.

India keep themselves alive as Pawan Rajbhar penetrates inside the circle from the right flank and passes the ball towards Uttam Singh, standing right in front of the goalpost. Singh makes no mistake and it is a simple tap in for the Indian. India now trail 2-3.  

What a counter attack by Japan. India try to build an attack but Maninder loses the ball right at the center, as Indians appeal for a free hit. However, the game goes on and it was two Japanese forwards against the goalie. At the end, a comfortable finish for Ooka Ryoma. Japan lead 3-1. 

We are in the fourth and final quarter and Japan keep things moving, trying to build the pressure on Indian defenders. Meanwhile, India are searching for the much-needed equaliser.

India fightback right in the dying moments of the third quarter as captain Birendra Lakra provides an excellent ball inside the circle, which is converted by Pawan Rajbhar. 

The third quarter come to an end as India trail 1-2.

This is some brilliant hockey by Japan, who are ensuring that India don't get a free run. We have an attack building by India but the Japanese goalie makes an excellent save to keep the scoreline 2-0.

As Japan tried to build an attack from the right, Vishnukant makes an excellent interception. However, India fail to make anything out of it. 

Meanwhile, we have a counter attack from Japan and this time from the left. Kawabe Kosei penetrates inside the circle, manages to keep three Indian defenders engaged and scores a superb goal. Japan take a 2-0 lead. 

Japan earn another penalty corner as Suraj makes an excellent save but the ball hits Yashdeep Siwach on the rebound. Japan fail to convert the penalty corner and they are awarded with another one. 

However, the Indian unit thinks it was dangerous ball and have asked for a video referral and India will keep the referral. Good call by the Indian team.

A brilliant ball inside the circle from the right as SV Sunil tries to direct it inside the goalpost. He gets the connection but it goes just wide of the goalpost. India still trailing 1-0. 

India try to produce a counter attack but an error by Uttam Singh at the center help Japan regain possession. 

The third quarter starts and India start with a golden chance but an unmarked Uttam Singh fails to tap the ball inside the goalpost. 

We are done with the second quarter as Japan go into the interval taking a 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, India also had two good chances but they failed to put the ball inside the goalpost.

An excellent pass was provided to Raj Kumar Pal inside the striking circle, who turns swiftly before launching a shot, which goes just wide of the target.

Just over four minutes left in the second quarter as India look for the equaliser. 

The Japanese dominance continues and another test for the Indian goalkeeper and defence as Japan have been awarded another penalty corner. This time Japan scores as Nagayoshi Ken strike it at the bottom corner of the Indian goalpost. Japan lead 1-0. 

Japan, who put up a strong show in the first quarter, have maintained a similar tempo. Apart from the initial attack, it has been Japan threatening the Indians. 

Second penalty corner of the match to Japan after an error by Dipsan Tirkey. However, India avoid the danger as Japanese strike it above the bar.

The Japanese have once again kept things in control as India try to find an opener. Japan currently have the possession and they are playing the ball in their own half, before referee blows his whistle after a high ball. 

The second quarter starts and India begin it with a strong attack. Karthik Selvam with a shot on target but it is saved by the Japanese goalie. SV Sunil also fail to do much on the rebound. 

We are done with the first quarter as both the teams fail to find the breakthrough.

Two minutes remain in the opening quarter and we are still goalless here. Birendra Lakra has the ball, he passes it on the left side as India try to build an attack but they are not able to penetrate through the Japanese defence.