Dhaka- Two time-champions India got off to a flying start in the eight-team Hero10th Men’s Asia Cup beating Japan by 5-1 goals in the tournament opener in a Pool A encounter at Maulana Bhashani Stadium on Wednesday.Sunil Sowmarpet put India ahead by a field goal utilizing a through pass of Satbir Singh in the very 3rd minute of the 1st quarter with a close-ranged flick from right flank to deceive the opponent goalie, 1-0.Kenji Kitazato scored a field goal to level the margin in the next minute with a stroke from goalmouth melee to end the 1st quarter in 1-1.India again took the lead in the 23rd minute as man of the match Lalit Upadhaya scored a field goal with a reverse hit from inside of the d box, 2-1.Ramandeep Singh extended the lead for India with a field goal in the 32nd minute connecting a through pass of Sunil Sowmarpet to take good stroke from the right side of the d-box, 3-1.Harmanpreet Singh scored a penalty corner goal in the 35th minute for India. Ramandeep Singh took the penalty stroke which stopped by captain Manpreet Singh before the final touch by Harmanpreet, 4-1.Harmanpreet Singh again scored a penalty corner goal with the same combination of his 1st PC, in the 48th minute for India 5-1.Planning Minister AHM Mostafa Kamal, deputy minister for Youth and Sports Arif Khan Joy, Chief Executive of the Asian Hockey Federation Tayyab Ikarm and Bangladesh Hockey Federation president Air Marshall Abu Esar were introduced with both sides’ players before the start of the game.In another opening day, Pool A, match of the meet, hosts Bangladesh will face three -time champions Pakistan at the same venue starting at 5:30pm (Bangladesh time).UNB news agency
