It’s not a nice feeling: Coach Fulton

India coach Craig Fulton and captain Harmanpreet Singh at a press conference after their 1-1 draw against Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Friday. pic/ASHWIN FERRO

One goal off 15 penalty corners is not a statistic the Indian hockey team will be proud of particularly since they have one of the world's best drag flickers leading the pack in skipper Harmanpreet Singh. But that's exactly what transpired at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Hockey Stadium on Friday when Japan's first rusher in penalty corner defence, Raiki Fujishuma, time and again intercepted India's drag flicks.

"It's not that we didn't try, but Japan defended their penalty corners very well. We were expected to win this so a draw is not a nice feeling," coach Fulton said at the post-match media conference.

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World No. 19 Japan, the reigning Asian Games champions, defended stoutly for a stunning 1-1 draw in a closely contested Asian Champions Trophy encounter here on Friday. Ken Nagayoshi (28^th minute) converted off only their second penalty corner, beating India goalkeeper Krishan Pathak with a low shot to his left, after which India skipper Harmanpreet Singh (43^rd min) scored off their 10^th short corner. India's forwardline comprising Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh and Mandeep Singh wasted plenty of scoring opportunities and coach Fulton admitted they should have done better.

"It is a concern for every coach and that's what we want them [forwards] to do the most - take shots on goal. They have the license to shoot, but if they instead choose to work out a penalty corner then it's their choice."

Skipper Harmanpreet was also all praise for the Japanese defence. "To be honest, they really defended well because we did what we were told. We played as per what information we have received [from the team management]. Hopefully, in the next match we will have more information and do better," he said.