Tauranga, January 17: India got off to a winning start in the double-leg Four Nations Invitational Tournament in New Zealand as they thrashed Japan 6-0 at Blake Park here on Wednesday (January 17).

India face Japan first

Rupinder Pal Singh (7'), Vivek Sagar Prasad (12', 28'), Dilpreet Singh (35', 45') and Harmanpreet Singh (41') were the scorers for the Sjoerd Marijne-coached squad.

FT! A great start to 2018 and the Four Nations Invitational Tournament in NZ, as Team India's dominant display earns them a 6-0 victory against Japan on 17th January 2018.
#IndiaKaGame #INDvJPN #NZ4Nations pic.twitter.com/s5QTB43IJj

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 17, 2018

India opened their account as early as in the seventh minute after earning their first penalty corner of the game.

It was young gun Harmanpreet who stepped up to drag flick. His attempt though was blocked by the Japanese defender on the line, but since the obstruction came off his body, India were awarded a penalty stroke.

Experienced drag flicker Rupinder broke no sweat in converting to fetch India a 1-0 early lead.

India's second goal came in the 12th minute when debutant Vivek was quick to pick up a rebound and fiercely hit the ball past the Japanese goalkeeper.

Vivek added one more in the 28th minute when he received an assist in the circle and put the ball in the goal within no time.

In the 35th minute, a brilliant run-in from Mandeep Singh, who found Dilpreet in the circle, created a goal scoring opportunity for India. Though Dilpreet's first attempt was padded away by the Japan keeper, he was quick to pick it up again and put into the nets fetching India's fourth goal.

Though Japan earned their first penalty corner of the match in the 40th minute, they could not find success.

However, in the following minute a foot foul by a Japanese defender won India their second penalty corner which was brilliantly converted by Harmanpreet.

In the 45th minute, India made it 6-0 with Dilpreet scoring his second goal.

(Source: Hockey India)

---

---

Next match

---

Thursday (January 18)

India vs Belgium

Match begins at 10.15am IST.

Live streaming on: www.facebook.com/nzblacksticks