Somehow, India kept their heads to rebound in the final quarter through Mandeep's outstanding stick work which was, ultimately, the difference between victory and an upset loss.This was not a match lacking in intensity or drama. In the eighth minute, seconds after Akash Chikte stuck out a leg to stop an attempt at goal, experienced drag flick expert Rupinder Pal Sigh converted India's first PC into a 1-0 advantage. Japan failed to use their first PC a short while later, but Kazuma Marata scored the equalizer in the 13th minute. In the 43rd minute, No 12 Yoshihara's splendid field goal put Japan ahead, only for Mandeep to draw level with 36 seconds on the clock. India got a lifeline thanks to Mandeep's second goal in the 51st minute, and when the striker netted this third with just under three minutes left in the match, India had somehow managed to break free from Japan's spirited effort.

Source: Times of India May 03, 2017 10:05 UTC