Dilpreet Singh struck twice while Sukhjeet Singh also found the target as India’s junior men’s hockey team pipped Japan 3-2 in their opening round encounter of the Sultan of Johor Cup, here on Sunday.
It was a come-from-behind victory after trailing 1-2 for the better part of the third quarter.
India started on a bright note, attacking constantly in the first quarter. In the 11th minute its efforts were rewarded with Dilpreet capitalising on a defensive lapse.
In the second quarter, Japan fought back enjoying better possession. It was awarded a penalty corner in the 23rd from which Kyohei Ogawa converted to bring the teams level.
The Japanese maintained a good rhythm going into half-time. Soon Ogawa scored his second to give Japan a 2-1 lead in the 31st.
However, the young Indian team showed its character in the latter part of the third quarter when it restored parity through a penalty corner converted by Sukhjeet in the 41st minute.
The dominant performance in the last quarter was rewarded when Dilpreet scored the winner in the 53rd minute.
India will now face Malaysia in its second match on Monday.
The result: India 3 (Dilpreet 11, 53; Sukhjeet 41) bt Japan 2 (Kyohei Ogawa 23, 31).
