Updated August 31st 2025, 17:34 IST

India vs Japan Highlights, Asia Cup Hockey 2025: Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace while Mandeep Singh netted another as India defeated Japan 3-2 in the Asia Cup Hockey in Rajgir. For Japan, Kosei Kawabe scored both goals. With two wins in as many matches, India are now topping Pool A with six points.
India vs Japan Highlights, Asia Cup Hockey 2025: The winner of the Asia Cup Hockey will secure a direct place in the FIH World Cup, so the Men In Blue will be eager to end the tournament on the podium.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh scored a brace while Mandeep Singh netted another as India defeated Japan 3-2 in the Asia Cup Hockey in Rajgir. For Japan, Kosei Kawabe scored both goals.
Kosei Kawabe has his second of the match. A shot from a Japanese player is saved by the Indian shotstopper but the ball comes back to Kawabe. He takes a turn and launches a shot towards the goal. The goalkeeper couldn't do anything.
Lakra finds Abhishek in the right spot and the latter launches a shot at the goal. But it hits the sidenet.
Time is ticking up for Japan.
Indian shotstopper Krishan B Pathak has been felicitated by Hockey India for breaching the 150 appearance mark for India.
Suraj saves a direct hit from the penalty corner and makes a second save after another japanese player launches a backhander towards the goal.
Just before the end of the third quarter, India have scored their third goal. It's the skipper, Harmanpreet Singh, who fires back from a penalty corner to provide India with an important two-goal lead.
Kosei Kawabe has pulled one back for Japan. The Japanese finds a big gap in the Indian defence and takes his chance and hits the ball in the turn and the Indian shotstopper fails to read the ball properly.
India are leading 2-0 against Japan at the break.
Garmanpreet Singh finds Rajinder Singh, who beats a couple of Japanese players, and finds Sukhjeet with a delightful pass. But the latter just needs the right touch to push into the Japanese goal.
Japan haven't managed to put the Indian defence under pressure consistently.
Amit Rohidas will have to sit out after he is shown a green card for a foul.
India aim for a stronger show in the second quarter.
India are leading 2-0 against Japan with goals from Mandeep Singh and captain Harmanpreet Singh.
The ball hits Manpreet SIngh's body and Japan are awarded a penalty corner.
The likes of Sukhjeet and Mandeep have been stretching the Japanese defence with ease as India are dominating against the japanese.
Harmanpreet Singh doesn't make a mistake this time and his powerful hit from a penalty corner storms into the Japanese net.
Sukhjeet Singh injects, but Harmanpreet Singh has failed to convert a penalty corner.
Sukhjeet Singh surges through the left front and gets past a number of Japanese players to pass it to Mandeep Singh. Mandeep's brillian t stick work allows him to find a gap and he slots it into the bottom right corner of the Japan goal.
India vs Japan has kicked off.
The winner of the Asia Cup 2025 Hockey will get a direct entry into the Asia Cup Hockey.
China have thrashed Kazakhstan 13-1 in another Asia Cup Hockey encounter in Rajgir.
Here is the match report of India's 4-3 win against China
Asia Cup 2025 Rajgir: Captain Harmanpreet Singh Nets A Hat-Trick As Team India Edges China 4-3 in Nail-Biting Clash
The live telecast for the Asia Cup Hockey match between India and Japan will be available on Sony Sports Network, while the live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website.
India will seek to improve their performance when they take on Japan in the second match in Rajgir on Sunday.
Published August 31st 2025, 14:40 IST