Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2017: Mandeep Singh's Hat-Trick provides India 4-3 beat Japan
After a loss to defending champions Australia in their last match, India ransomed themselves with a 4-3 triumph over Japan because of Mandeep Singh's good hat-trick in a very round-robin tie of the sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament in Ipoh, Malaysia, on Wed.
Having lost the first lead provided by a penalty corner conversion from Rupinderpal Singh, India were trailing once Mandeep got into his goal-scoring act within the half. It required 2 goals from Mandeep within the last ten minutes to assist India avoid a surprising loss.
Neutralising India's early lead through Kazuma Murata's fine deflection at intervals the tenth minute, Japan led doubly at intervals the sport with goals getting back from Heita Yoshihara (43rd) and Genki Mitani (45th), but they may not overcome Mandeep's brilliance.
Mandeep got into the goal-scoring act with a fine bit on a through ball from Harmanpreet Singh at intervals the forty fifth minute.
He then came back to faucet in a very sq. ball from Sardar Singh within the 51st minute then ensured 3 points for India by capitalising on a diagonal ball from Rupinderpal within the 58th minute. Mandeep's three goals unbroken India's challenge alive at intervals the six-nation tournament, taking them to seven points from four matches.
The win gave India a chance of constructing the second consecutive final at intervals the sultan Azlan Shah Cup once having finished runners-up behind Australia last year.