There was a yawning gap in class between the two teams as India smashed a hapless Japan 10-2 in their opening encounter of the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia on Thursday. Rupinder Pal Singh, who wore the captain's armband for India in this encounter, was in irresistible form, scoring six goals. Ramandeep Singh scored twice and there was a goal each from Talwinder Singh and Yousuf Affan.
It took only took two minutes for India and Rupinder Pal Singh, to get things underway. With five minutes left before the end of the first quarter, India got their second penalty corner, which Rupinder Pal Singh converted with ease to give his side a 3-0 lead.
Lalit Upadhyay set up Ramandeep Singh, who scored his second and India's fourth, with a smashing reverse shot. India continued to feast on the hapless Japanese in the second quarter. Rupinder Pal Singh completed his hat-trick and inevitably, it came from another penalty corner.
Ramandeep Singh and Talwinder Singh played a slick one-to-one tap and the latter made it six. With seven minutes for the end of the first half, Rupinder Pal Singh got his fourth with a simple finish. Japan got one back though, and it was skipper Hiroki Sakamoto who set up Tanaka with a brilliant run from one end of the field to the other.
With the result a foregone conclusion, India took their foot off the gas somewhat in the third quarter, which Japan won 1-0. But, India's scoring spree continued with Rupinder Pal Singh getting his fifth and sixth, and, yet again, they came from penalty corners.
Yousuf Affan's goal bordered on comical, missing his shot with three separate attempts before dragging the ball back and slotting it home.