There was respite from heat on Sunday, but not so much when it came to battle on the field for India, who once again missed chances they should have scored off in their 3-2 win over Japan to enter the Super 4 stage of the Men’s Hockey Asia Cup here. 

The game ended on a nervous note for India, when Kosei Kawabe scored his second goal in the 59th minute, which coincided with Harmanpreet Singh getting suspended with a yellow card; but not before the Indian captain had scored two goals to take his tally in the tournament to five in two matches. 

India’s poor finishing

His penalty corner conversions in the 5th and 46th minute led India’s win after striker Mandeep Singh opened India’s account in the 4th minute with a field goal. But otherwise, India were found vaunting when it came to finishing promising attacks. Starting with Mandeep failing to find the net in the second minute to Manpreet Singh and Abhishek squandering chances off rebounds, it was a story of near misses for the hosts.