GUANGZHOU: India booked a semifinal berth after defeating Japan 3-2 in men's hockey at the Asian Games on Sunday. India also topped their group with an all-win record.
Sandeep Singh converted two penalty corners (38th, 62nd) while Rajpal Singh (31st minute) slammed one goal. For Japan, Hiroki Sakamoto (21st, 63rd) scored two field goals.
India have an all-win record win 12 points.
India were stung by a 21st minute goal from Japan's Hiroki Sakamoto.
Captain Rajpal Singh and penalty corner ace Sandeep Singh hit back for India on either side of the break, before Sandeep scored his second goal in the 62nd minute.
Sakamoto made it 2-3 seven minutes before the final whistle, but Japan failed to draw level.
