Asian Champions Trophy: India retains crown with a late surge

Mohali There is a reason most teams are wary of placing their bets on the Indian hockey team. For almost three quarters in the final against Japan on Thursday, the host was like a headless chicken, running all across the field, dominating possession, passing the ball around and repeatedly entering the opposition circle, only to mess up.

By the time the hooter went at full time, India had won 4-1, defended its Asian Champions Trophy title and the spectators who packed the Olympian Balbir Singh international stadium in the middle of a weekday got their money’s worth. The crowd had to wait till the 42nd minute to find its voice after Japan took lead in the third minute through Kazumasa Matsumoto, then dished out a defensive masterclass and a lesson in how important getting the basics and discipline were in international hockey.

It was also the scrappiest performance by India in the tournament, clearly under pressure, erratic and messy.