MUSCAT: Defending champions India will glance to say their continental supremacy once again after they tackle reigning Asian Games gold-medallists Japan within the semi-final of the Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) hockey event here on Saturday.
Having spanked Japan 9-0 within the round-robin stage, India will start overwhelming favourites against the Asian Games champion facet.
India are the one facet within the event that remained unbeaten within the round-robin stage, having gained all their matches except for for a close goalless draw against previous nemesis Malaysia.
India qualified as the top workforce with 13 points from five video games. Arch-rivals Pakistan finished second on 10 points ahead of Malaysia because of a greater objective difference, whilst Japan had been fourth with seven points.
The ongoing Asian Champions Trophy being the remaining event sooner than the season-ending World Cup in Bhubaneswar, the Indians can be desperate to prove their critics improper with another sturdy efficiency on Saturday.
Going by means of efficiency, the Indians appeared the dominant facet within the event with convincing wins except for for the stalemate against Malaysia.
Harendra Singh's men defeated Oman 11-0, Pakistan Three-1, Japan 9-0 and South Korea 4-1.
And come Saturday, India can be eager to prove that the disappointing bronze at the Asian Games was once just an aberration with another giant morale-boosting win over Japan.
India's chief coach Harendra Singh said Saturday might be a completely new sport for his facet.
"I would like my boys to play aggressive hockey with control over their emotions. The semi-final will be a different ball game. The result or score-line of our last encounter with Japan in the preliminary league will have no significance when the semi-final gets underway on Saturday," Harendra said at the eve of the match.
Japan, alternatively, have fielded six kids within the squad after their gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Games in their bid to concentrate on a long-term team-building exercise.
Japan are the one workforce among the semi-finalists here not to have qualified for the World Cup.
Japan, on the other hand, will play for delight and give you the chance to blunt the Indian assault.
Their fresh habit of turning the form-book on its head will purpose some unease for their rivals.
"I have always said that India will have an edge nine times out of our 10 encounters. We're hoping that Saturday will be that one time when we go out and defeat them," Japan coach Siegfried Aikman said.
"Our performance in the preliminary league, including the loss to India, is history now. My young players have grown in confidence," he added.
In the opposite semi-final of the day, Pakistan will lock horns against Malaysia.
The final of the event might be played on Sunday.
Having spanked Japan 9-0 within the round-robin stage, India will start overwhelming favourites against the Asian Games champion facet.
India are the one facet within the event that remained unbeaten within the round-robin stage, having gained all their matches except for for a close goalless draw against previous nemesis Malaysia.
India qualified as the top workforce with 13 points from five video games. Arch-rivals Pakistan finished second on 10 points ahead of Malaysia because of a greater objective difference, whilst Japan had been fourth with seven points.
The ongoing Asian Champions Trophy being the remaining event sooner than the season-ending World Cup in Bhubaneswar, the Indians can be desperate to prove their critics improper with another sturdy efficiency on Saturday.
Going by means of efficiency, the Indians appeared the dominant facet within the event with convincing wins except for for the stalemate against Malaysia.
Harendra Singh's men defeated Oman 11-0, Pakistan Three-1, Japan 9-0 and South Korea 4-1.
And come Saturday, India can be eager to prove that the disappointing bronze at the Asian Games was once just an aberration with another giant morale-boosting win over Japan.
India's chief coach Harendra Singh said Saturday might be a completely new sport for his facet.
"I would like my boys to play aggressive hockey with control over their emotions. The semi-final will be a different ball game. The result or score-line of our last encounter with Japan in the preliminary league will have no significance when the semi-final gets underway on Saturday," Harendra said at the eve of the match.
Japan, alternatively, have fielded six kids within the squad after their gold medal at the Jakarta Asian Games in their bid to concentrate on a long-term team-building exercise.
Japan are the one workforce among the semi-finalists here not to have qualified for the World Cup.
Japan, on the other hand, will play for delight and give you the chance to blunt the Indian assault.
Their fresh habit of turning the form-book on its head will purpose some unease for their rivals.
"I have always said that India will have an edge nine times out of our 10 encounters. We're hoping that Saturday will be that one time when we go out and defeat them," Japan coach Siegfried Aikman said.
"Our performance in the preliminary league, including the loss to India, is history now. My young players have grown in confidence," he added.
In the opposite semi-final of the day, Pakistan will lock horns against Malaysia.
The final of the event might be played on Sunday.
ACT: India look to assert supremacy over Japan in semis
![ACT: India look to assert supremacy over Japan in semis]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
October 26, 2018
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