India defended well to win the medal
New Delhi: India faced Japan in the 3/4th place match at Hero Hockey Asia Cup 2022. Raj Kumar Pal scored a field goal in the 6th minute of match and led India to a victory in this crucial game. India sent an inexperienced to the Hero Asia Cup but managed to win a bronze medal.
After Raj Kumar Pal’s goal gave India a lead in the match, Japan was unable to equalize. India has had a good track record against Japan, in their 31 encounters; India has won 25 of them and 3 ended in a draw. In Hero Hockey Asia Cup 2022, India and Japan have faced other two times before the Bronze Medal match. The result of the league stage match went in Japan’s favor with a score of 5-2, but India struck back in the Super 4s stage by defeating Japan with a score of 2-1.
Youngsters like Raj Kumar Pal and Suraj Karkera stood up to the occasion and led India to a medal victory. After India’s bronze medal victory at the Olympics, many of the big names of Indian Hockey, including the likes of PR Sreejesh retired. The responsibility was now on the young shoulders with experienced players like Birendra Lakra (Captain) and SV Sunil (Vice-Captain) leading.
In the 14th minute of the match, Niwa Takuma received a green card. Indian defender Manjeet received a green card in the 21st minute and a yellow card in the 58th minute. In the final minutes of the game, Japan missed the opportunity and was not able to convert three back-to-back penalty corners. Great defense by the Indian team led them to clinch the bronze. Birendra Lakra won the ‘player of the match award’ for his solid defence.
