Cup seekers off to sluggish start

India came off winners only due to some good penalty corner conversions by defender Tirkey and Nayak and a field goal by forward Gagan Ajit following spadework done by half-back Baljit Singh Saini.

Dhanraj Pillay missed a chance in the third minute after snatching the ball from a defender when he weaved past the goalkeeper but failed to slot the ball in.

India clinched the lead in the fourth minute off the first penalty corner they forced. Tirkey slammed in a second rebound to put India up.

Skipper Dhillon played a withdrawn role, trying to spur thehalf-line where Ramandeep Singh and Thirumalvalavan were below potential. Only Sukhbir Singh Gill showed control in the mid-field.

It took a brilliant move from Baljit Saini for India to notch its second goal. Saini snatched the ball near the centre circle and launched a counter down the right flank.

After dribbling past two rival players, he sent in a sharp cross that was deflected home by Gagan Ajit Singh to make it 2-0. In the final minutes of the first half, Japan forced two penalty corners but were saved by ‘keeper Jude Menezes.