India rout Japan for second victory

Defending champions India registered their second victory in as many outing in the Asian Games hockey tournament, beating Japan 3-0 at the Gangseo hockey stadium on Wednesday.

Following the victory, India became the first team to move into the semi-finals. They have one more preliminary match to play, against South Korea, but the six points they have earned from two outings are enough to see them through.

With Japan losing both their matches -- they lost 0-4 to South Korea in their opening match on Sunday -- India are assured of a top two finish in Group A.

In an earlier match in Group B, two goals each from skipper Shanmuganathan Kuhan and Chua Boon Huat helped Malaysia defeat Bangladesh 6-1.

In the last match of the day's fixtures, South Korea whipped Hong Kong 14-1 to move to the top of Group A.

Deepak Thakur opened the scoring in the 11th minute, but the Indians, who had beaten Hong Kong 5-1 in their opening match of the tournament, were unable to increase the lead in the first-half because of some tight defending by the Japanese.

However, in the second session, they opened up and Dharnraj Pillay made it 2-0 in the 46th minute.

Daljit Singh completed the rout in the 55th minute.

Japan, who had held India to a draw in their previous encounter in the Kuala Lumpur World Cup earlier this year, seemed once again to upset the calculations of the Asian powerhouse. But once Deepak Thakur opened the scoring it was a different story.

The second goal came minutes into the second half when Pillay slammed home a rebound after the Japanese goalkeeper had blocked a shot of Gagan Ajit Singh.

Dhillon's goal was the result of a brilliant move by Igance Tirkey, who weaved past two defenders and laid the ball for him to finish.