Defending champions India continued their goal-scoring spree and spanked Japan 80 to register their third consecutive win in the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games, here today.
The holders have so far scored 51 goals in three matches after demolishing Indonesia 17-0 and registering a record 26-0 win over Hong Kong China in their previous two Pool A games.
Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh (17th, 37th minutes) and Mandeep Singh (32nd, 56th) struck twice while SV Sunil (7th), Dilpreet Singh (12th), Akashdeep Singh (45th) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (47th) also registered their names in the score sheet.
India conceded only one penalty corner in the 48th minute of the match but Japan, ranked 16th, wasted the opportunity.
World no. 5 India will next play Korea, ranked 14th, on Sunday before completing their pool engagement against Sri Lanka.
"I am not happy with the scoreline. We missed a lot of chances and that is not acceptable in a tournament like this," said India's chief coach Harendra Singh.
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Rupinder, who has been scoring consistently in this tournament after making a comeback from a hamstring injury, said he was pleased with the way he was shaping up for the big matches ahead.
"The injury part was disappointing. I just returned a month back after rehab. I feel strong, the coaches and the teammates have helped. Scoring gives me confidence and it will surely help in bigger matches," said the drag-flicker.
Rupinder said they used the match as an opportunity to fine-tune their basics and found out that there was still "room for improvement."
The defending champions though did not have to wait much to get on board as
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