India will face Asian powerhouse Japan in the AFC Asian Cup qualifying league in Bangalore on Wednesday.
The midfield will be spearheaded by Olympic bronze medal-winning former skipper Manpreet Singh, current vice-captain Hardik Singh and young Vivek Sagar Prasad, while India also boasts of a strong, attacking forwardline in Shamsher Singh, Mandeep Singh, Gurjant Singh, Lalit Kumar Upadhyay, Abhishek and Sukhjeet Singh.
Olympic champion Lin Dan watched helplessly as badminton powerhouse China's decade-long Thomas Cup reign came to a spectacular end after Japan pulled off a huge upset with a 3-0 victory in the semi-final of the men's team event on Friday.
Spain fans celebrate World Cup glory
News of all that's transpired on and off the football field
Asia's last survivors Japan face Paraguay and Spain assault the so far impregnable defence of Iberian neighbours Portugal on Tuesday as the last two World Cup quarter-final berths are decided.
12 Japanese players were seen on the field towards the end of their World Cup match against South Korea in Bhubaneswar on Tuesday, prompting the International Hockey Federation (FIH) to investigate the matter.
A 24-strong team for the men's hockey series against Japan was announced on Thursday, following a week-long preparatory camp held at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium, that commenced on April 22.
He is certainly not the first to say this but World Cup and Ballon d'Or winner Rivaldo too feels India should follow the 'Japan model' in order to improve the standard of football in the country.
Following is India's schedule at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday, October 4.
P V Sindhu and Lakshya Sen progressed to the quarter-finals at the Canada Open Super 500 tournament
Indian hockey had something to cheer about as Indian women's hockey team bagged a silver medal in third Asian Champions Trophy after losing to hosts Japan by a solitary goal in the summit clash of the event at Kakamigahara, Japan on Saturday.
Denmark coach Morten Olsen is hoping for some traditional 'Danish dynamite' from his team's attack in Thursday's decisive Group E clash with Japan.
Stimac had said he would need at least a four-week camp to do well in the Asian Cup while the All India Football Federation (AIFF) top brass had indicated that his demand would be difficult to meet as the clubs may not agree to release their players for such a long period in the midst of the domestic season.
But their inability to close out the game proved costly, allowing Belgium to claw their way back into contention with two goals in five minutes before Nacer Chadli's injury-time winner capped the most thrilling game of the 2018 finals.
Japan head coach Akira Nishino named an experienced final 23-man squad for the 2018 World Cup in Russia on Thursday.
'The focus will be on maintaining structure and would like to play more in structure in our upcoming games.'
Following is India's schedule at the Asian Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday, October 4.
Pakistan head coach Muhammad Saqlain on Tuesday said India are not playing 'structural hockey' as the two arch rivals prepared for their clash in the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy hockey.
Twitterati couldn't contain their joy at the upset and hailed Japan for 'pulling off a Saudi Arabia'.
'We have stopped eating sweets, chocolates, spicy and oily food. We are are taking low carbs and balanced diet and feeling better'
Images from India's match against Pakistan in the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai on Wednesday.
Goals from Gurjit Kaur (7th, 9th minutes), Navjot Kaur (9th) and Lalremsiami (38th) ensured India's entry into Sunday's final where they will face China.
Defending champions India continued their goal-scoring spree and spanked Japan 8-0 to register their third consecutive win in the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games, in Jakarta, on Friday.
Japan Plus to facilitate and fast-track investment proposals.
Striker Yuya Osako scored twice in 11 second-half minutes to help send four-times champions Japan into the final of the Asian Cup with a 3-0 victory over tournament favourites Iran on Monday.
Al-Hilal wrapped up a place in the Asian Champions League semi-finals as a 2-0 win over fellow Saudi Pro League side Al-Ittihad in Jeddah on Tuesday completed a 4-0 aggregate success and set a world record with their 28th straight win in all competitions.
Keisuke Honda announced his retirement from international football following Japan's elimination from the World Cup at the hands of Belgium on Monday night.
Yokohama beat Shandong to book Asian Champions League last 16 berth
Somdev Devvarman will spearhead India's singles challenge in a four-member team announced by the All India Tennis Association on Friday for the Davis Cup World Group playoffs against Japan from September 16 to 18.
Following is the schedule of Indian contingent on day six of the Asian Games:
Sony Picture Network India (SPNI) management is committed to long-term growth in India and the company will actively explore new organic and inorganic possibilities to strengthen its presence in the country, company managing director and CEO, NP Singh told employees. In a letter, two-days after the calling off of the $10 billion merger deal with Zee Entertainment, he asked employees to focus on current projects, with an immediate goal to unleash the company's full potential, continuing to craft content that not only engages audiences but also boosts subscriber growth and revenues. "As we close the chapter on our proposed merger with ZEEL (Zee Entertainment Enterprises Ltd), I want to take a moment to talk to you - not just as your CEO but as someone who has been on this journey with you.
Both sides will be high on confidence with an aim to come out all guns blazing.
Japan completed the quarter-final lineup for the Women's World Cup on Tuesday when the defending champions rolled into the last eight with an impressive 2-1 win over the Netherlands.
The Indian women's team qualified for the quarter-finals in the Uber Cup badminton tournament despite a 2-3 defeat to 2014 runners-up Japan in their third and final Group D match, in Kunshan, China, on Wednesday. The men's team, however, continued its dismal run in the Thomas Cup and crashed out after being blanked 0-5 by Indonesia in their third Group B match at the Kunshan Sports Center Stadium.
India beat Malaysia 4-3 to win the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament
Having made the cut for the 18-member squad for the 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022, the Indian men's hockey team forward Gurjant Singh is looking to make an impact with his skills.
India maintained their dominance in the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament with a nervy 3-2 victory over South Korea
