Asian Games hockey: Indian men win gold, qualify for Paris Olympics
The Indian men’s hockey team defeated defending champions Japan comprehensively, five goals to one, in the final of the Hangzhou Asian Games today, thus also sealing a berth in the Paris Olympic Games next year.
Japan began with a tight defensive set-up but it could hold India back only till the last minute of the first quarter, when the latter got its first penalty corner. The goal was saved but it was India most of the way from then on.
India scored goals in the 25th, 32nd, 36th, 52nd and 59th minutes, through Manpreet Singh, Harmanpreet, Amit Rohidas, Abhishek and again Harmanpreet, respectively. Japan could only pull one back, in the 54th minute.
With this fourth gold in hockey, India has equalled South Korea’s feat of having the second-most gold medals in the Asian Games. Pakistan holds the top spot with eight golds.
