India inch closer to semifinal spot with convincing win over Japan

Defending champions India continued their goal-scoring spree and spanked Japan 80 to register their third consecutive win in the men's hockey competition at the Asian Games, here today.

The holders have so far scored 51 goals in three matches after demolishing Indonesia 17-0 and registering a record 26-0 win over Hong Kong China in their previous two Pool A games.

Drag-flicker Rupinder Pal Singh (17th, 37th minutes) and Mandeep Singh (32nd, 56th) struck twice while SV Sunil (7th), Dilpreet Singh (12th), Akashdeep Singh (45th) and Vivek Sagar Prasad (47th) also registered their names in the score sheet.

India conceded only one penalty corner in the 48th minute of the match but Japan, ranked 16th, wasted the opportunity.

World no. 5 India will next play Korea, ranked 14th, on Sunday before completing their pool engagement against Sri Lanka.

India started on a bright note and attacked the Japanese goal in numbers from the onset.

India's first charge came as early as the second minute but Dilpreet's deflection from a Surender Kumar's cross went wide.

The defending champions though did not have to wait much to get on board as