India vs Japan Hockey World Cup 2023 Highlights: India crush Japan 8-0 in Rourkela

India's silent guns finally found some ammunition to fire as fans in Rourkela put the disappointment of team's failure to reach the Men's Hockey World Cup quarterfinals behind them to once again pack the stands at the gigantic Birsa Munda Hockey Stadium. And the Indian team responded in style to hammer the Asian Games champions Japan 8-0. It was a game of many firsts for the home team that was pushed out of the title race by New Zealand in the crossovers.

Player of the Match: Abhishek

A commanding performance from India

It's all over! India thrash Japan 8-0 in a classification match in Rourkela

What a commanding performance from India today. Hard to believe that the scoreline was 0-0 at the halftime break. India scored four goals each in the last two quarters to register a massive win. Abhishek scored two field goals for India and deservedly won the Player of the Match award. India skipper Harmanpreet Singh also scored two goals through the penalty corners. Mandeep Singh, Vivek Sagar, Manpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh scored a goal each for the hosts too.

60' - GOAL!!! Sukhjeet Singh scores to make it 8-0 for India

60' - More PC for India. It ends with another PC for the hosts.

59' - GOAL!!! Harmanpreet Singh converts another PC to make it 7-0 for India

59' - PC for India

59' - India are taking a referral for a back stick by a Japanese player. It's a free hit for Japan. India lost their referral.

59' - GOAL!!! Manpreet Singh scores a field goal to make it 6-0 for India

55' - Japan are looking for circle penetrations and clear chances on goal without much success. India are not making much effort for more attacks now after taking a commanding 5-0 lead.

51' - The game has slowed down a bit after the fifth goal for India early in the fourth quarter.

49' - India are comfortably ahead in the game now. Japan looked dejected.

46' - GOAL!!! Harmanpreet Singh converts the PC to make it 5-0 for India

46' - PC for India early in the fourth quarter

The fourth and final quarter is underway...

End of Q3: India lead Japan 4-0 at the end of third quarter

After a goalless first 30 minutes of action, India came out all guns blazing in the third quarter as the hosts scored four goals in it. Abhishek Scored two field goals, while Mandeep Singh and Vivek Sagar scored a goal each from penalty corners.

44' - GOAL!!! Abhishek scores his second field goal. A reverse hit to make it 4-0 for India.

43' - India make an indirect effort towards the goal but they fail to score.

43' - Japan taking a referral against PC decision in favour of India. It's a PC for India and Japan lost a referral.

43' - India lead the circle penetration stats 20-11 so far in the game. Dominant!

40' - GOAL!!! Vivek Sagar scores on the rebound from a PC. It's 3-0 in favour of India now.

40' - Back-to-back PC for India.

40' - PC for India.

38' - India are taking a referral against a second PC for Japan. Successful referral for India. No PC for Japan.

37' - Japan earn a PC

36' - GOAL!!! Abhishek scores a field goal to double the lead for India

33' - GOAL!!! Mandeep Singh scores from the penalty corner to give India a 1-0 lead vs Japan

Harmanpreet Singh smashed a powerful drag flick and found Mandeep Singh near the Japanese goal and the latter guided the ball into the net.

32' - It's a PC for India. Successful referral for the hosts.

32' - India have taken a referral for a PC

Second half gets underway...India 0-0 Japan

Welcome Back!

End of Q2: It remains 0-0 between India and Japan at the halftime break

28' - Another Indian circle penetration is intercepted well by Japanese defender.

26' - Jarmanpreet Singh gets an aerial ball inside the Japanese circle, but his cross across the goal goes untouched by everyone.

23' - Another circle penetration from India forwards. Abhishek receives an aerial ball inside the Japanese circle but fails to hit it towards the goal.

21' - India keeper Sreejesh makes a good save to end another Japanese attack.

19' - Good attack into the India circle from Japan. Good defending from the hosts to thwart the attempt on goal.

18' - India lead the circle penetration stats by 11-4 so far

17' - India wasted the PC again. Long corner for India. Lalit hits it wide of the Japanese goal.

16' - Good save by Jarmanpreet Singh and he starts a counter attack for the hosts. And on the counter, India earn a PC.

16' - Back-to-back PC for Japan

16' - PC for Japan. India keeper Pathak makes a good save, but Japan are able to earn a PC.

Second quarter gets underway...India 0-0 Japan

End of Q1: It's 0-0 between India and Japan at the end of the first quarter

13' - Rajkumar hits the side of the Japanese goal from a tight angle

12' - Japan survive again. Harmanpreet Singh hits it straight to the Japanese defender.

12' - Back-to-back PC for India.

12' - Penalty Corner for India, the first of the match

11' - Akashdeep Singh loses the ball inside the Japanese circle. Free hit for Japan. Another good attack into the Japanese circle goes in vain for India.