World No. 19 Japan showed No. 4 India why rankings don’t matter in modern hockey. 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 (28th 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 (43rd min) scored off their 10th short corner. India got another five penalty corners, but it was the same wasteful story by their drag-flickers. Speaking of wastefulness though, India’s forwardline must take the cake in this aspect.

India fail to convert

Sukhjeet Singh, Gurjant Singh, Hardik Singh, Shamsher Singh and Mandeep Singh were almost toothless as the Japanese defence stayed low and dug in hard, thwarting them time and again with fierce flat-sticks almost scraping the newly-laid turf. Their goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa spearheaded the defence brilliantly, throwing himself at almost every ball that came his way as Harmanpreet Singh & Co seemed desperate for most part of the hour-long encounter. The signs were ominous 24 hours earlier, when India let World No. 25 China breach their defence twice. Japan simply added insult to that injury with this draw.