India vs Japan Asian Champions Trophy Highlights: IND, JPN play out 1-1 draw

Japan definitely have to be slightly happier of the two sides. India had a chance of going top of the table today but Malaysia will stay there. For Japan, it is a valuable point against the hosts and tournament favourites and it is something that they can build on after the disappointment they suffered against South Korea. 

60 mins: A long speculative ball threatens to cause chaos in the Indian circle but Sreejesh clears the danger. That should be that. 

56 mins: Some desperate defending from Japan as they keep India out in these last minutes. First Yoshikawa thwarts the threat from Sukhjeet and Nilakanta comining and entering the circle. Before that Yamada drives Mandeep off the edge of the circle. Mandeep picks a five-minute suspension shortly after that which means India will be one-man short for the rest of this match.

54 mins: Surjit suckers the Japanese defender marking him into conceding a PC. Harmanpreet switches to second castle but it still goes to the first where Varun Kumar lashes out a drag flick. It is off target, it remains India 1-1 Japan. 

47 mins: PC for India, Jugraj drag flicks and Yoshikawa saves it. It remains 1-1/  

Even-Stevens in this quarter, not too many goalscoring chances but India took it when it came their way. Much more encouraging performance for sure from the hosts compared to how they weren't able to hold on to the ball towards the end of Q2 after conceding. 

43 mins: India convert a PC at last. Harmanpreet does what he does best, this time, the Japanese can't stop the shot. 

40 mins: Japan have a spell of composed possession but don't get near the goal. Then India have the same but they are unable to get near the goal until finally they get a PC. 

38 mins: ….but this ain't no football. Jarmanpreet with a rocket of a pass into the circle. It bounces off the board but there was no contact inside the circle. 

36 mins: A Japan player pushed the ball over the baseline and India are awarded yet another PC. Once again, Japan defend it. That is the 9th PC that India have been unable to convert today. 

34 mins: Akashdeep gets space at the edge of the D on the left and unleashes a shot, Yoshikawa, as he has all this match, saves. But this has been a good period of possession for India. 

Well Japan are no China, they have made that much clear at least. This is a real test for India now, can they break down this Japanese defence? 

The second quarter ends and Japan lead 1-0 at half-time! India need to find some answers!

India 0-1 Japan

JAPAN ARE AHEAD! IT IS A PENALTY CORNER AND NAGAYOSHI DRIVES IT BETWEEN VARUN'S LEG FOR A GOAL!

India 0-1 Japan, 28'

Karthi has room and attempts a tomahawk from the lefy side, but it goes wide!

India 0-0 Japan, 20'

Two chances in seconds!

Akashdeep passes it to Gurjant, who fails to simply tap it in. Sumit then takes a swipe which is saved!

India 0-0 Japan, 17'

The second quarter gets underway and India will be aiming to open the scoring here!

India 0-0 Japan

The first quarter ends and it is 0-0 here!

India 0-0 Japan

AGain three penalty corners in a throw and Japan stop it through their first runner. The last attempt is stopped at the edge!

India 0-0 Japan, 15'

Karthi surges into the cicle through the right flank and cuts it back, but fails to find anyone!

India 0-0 Japan, 11'

Green card for Vivek and he is suspended for 2 minutes now! Penalty corner for Japan and they make a mess out of it, but manage to keep hold of it. India break and are on a counter, Mandeep passes it to Sukhjeet on the right, but a perfect tackle from Japan!

India 0-0 Japan, 10'

Three penalty corners for India in a row and all thee come off the first runner's foot. India need to do better here!

India 0-0 Japan, 5'

The action begins as the first quarter gets underway!

India 0-0 Japan

India: PR Sreejesh, Varun Kumar, Jarmanpreet Singh, Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Gurjant Singh, Mandeep Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit, Nilakanta Sharma, Akashdeep Singh.

Japan: Takashi Yoshikawa, Shota Yamada, Seren Tanaka, Kentaro Fukuda, Taiki Takade, Yuma Nagai, Manabu Yamashita, Raiki Fujishima, Ryosei Kato, Masaki Ohashi, Kaito Tanaka.

Both teams walk into the pitch for their respective national anthems!