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ORDOS, (China): Japan fought back from one goal down to stun favourites Pakistan 3-1 in the first upset of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Tuesday while India created the second upset when they beat a strong South Korea 5-3.
Japan were at the receiving end in the first session after Mohammad Rizwan flicked in from close to give Pakistan the lead in the fifth minute.
However, they restored parity through a penalty corner at the stroke of half time (35th min) through Koji Kayukawa who successfully deflected the ball from an indirect set piece.
This was followed by two more goals through Kenta Tanaka (62nd and 64th mins) in the last 10 minutes to take the match away from the Asian Games champions Pakistan.
It was the first defeat for Pakistan in three matches. They now have six points while Japan have four from the three matches that they have played.
Pakistan’s defeat has left the tournament wide open as, apart from hosts China, all the teams have a chance of making it to the final now.
In the day’s other exciting clash, a young Indian team showed fantastic temperament to outplay South Korea 5-3 and set up a strong possibility of making it to the final.
India now are on top of the group with seven points from three matches followed by Pakistan and Korea. India scored through Rupinder Singh (4th), Gurwinder Singh Chandi (5th), SV Sunil (7th), Rajpal Singh (24th) to make it four for the Indians.
In the meantime, Lee Nam Yong (8th, 26th) struck twice to make it 4-2 during the first half.
It was Yuvraj Walmiki's strike in the 62nd minute that ensured that Indians will end up with full points although Nam Hyun Woo pulled one back two minutes from final hooter.
In another match, Malaysia beat China 4-2. After Malaysia had taken a 2-0 lead, China fought back to make it 2-2 but the Asian Games silver medalists scored in the 53rd and 60th minutes to carve out a win and gain their first three points after two defeats.— Agencies
