<p class="title">Indian men's hockey team defeated Japan 4-2 to remain unbeaten in the second-leg of the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament, here on Saturday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After stunning victories against New Zealand (3-2) and Belgium (5-4), India overcame the Japanese challenge with late strikes from Mandeep Singh (58th minute) and Ramandeep Singh (58th).</p>.<p class="bodytext">The other goal scorers for India were Vivek Sagar Prasad (12th) and Varun Kumar (30th) while Seren Tanaka (14th) and Shota Yamada (43rd) scored for Japan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India will next play world no 3 Belgium, who beat hosts New Zealand 4-0, in the summit clash on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India drew first blood when Harjeet Singh dribbled through the midfield to find forward Arman Qureshi who passed it on to Vivek for the first goal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India were slightly edgy in the next few minutes as they gave up possession and were punished when Japan broke into a quick counter, paving way through the left flank.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was Tanaka who drove into the Indian circle, beating defenders to level the scores.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While India built on their game in the second quarter, Japan kept fighting back trying to defend with all their might.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But some lapse in concentration from Japanese defenders earned India back-to-back penalty corners, and Varun Kumar converted the second opportunity to give his side a 2-1 lead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Both the teams traded penalty corners at the start of the third quarter.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India won their third penalty corner in the 32nd minute but Harmanpreet Singh's flick was well-saved by Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan won a penalty corner in the following minutes but couldn't make much of the opportunity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India then broke into a fierce counter and made a successful circle entry but Vivek's reverse hit was well-saved by Japanese custodian.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan, though, made the most of their second penalty corner when Yamada used a smart variation to catch Indian goal keeper Krishan Pathak off-guard and level the scores in the 43rd minute.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan had a great chance to take a 3-2 lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke but Yamada's flick was wide off target.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandeep then deflected in an improvised fashion to restore India the lead in the 58th minute.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ramandeep then added another for India to seal the match in his side's favour. </p>
<p class="title">Indian men's hockey team defeated Japan 4-2 to remain unbeaten in the second-leg of the Four-Nation Invitational Tournament, here on Saturday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">After stunning victories against New Zealand (3-2) and Belgium (5-4), India overcame the Japanese challenge with late strikes from Mandeep Singh (58th minute) and Ramandeep Singh (58th).</p>.<p class="bodytext">The other goal scorers for India were Vivek Sagar Prasad (12th) and Varun Kumar (30th) while Seren Tanaka (14th) and Shota Yamada (43rd) scored for Japan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India will next play world no 3 Belgium, who beat hosts New Zealand 4-0, in the summit clash on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India drew first blood when Harjeet Singh dribbled through the midfield to find forward Arman Qureshi who passed it on to Vivek for the first goal.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India were slightly edgy in the next few minutes as they gave up possession and were punished when Japan broke into a quick counter, paving way through the left flank.</p>.<p class="bodytext">It was Tanaka who drove into the Indian circle, beating defenders to level the scores.</p>.<p class="bodytext">While India built on their game in the second quarter, Japan kept fighting back trying to defend with all their might.</p>.<p class="bodytext">But some lapse in concentration from Japanese defenders earned India back-to-back penalty corners, and Varun Kumar converted the second opportunity to give his side a 2-1 lead.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Both the teams traded penalty corners at the start of the third quarter.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India won their third penalty corner in the 32nd minute but Harmanpreet Singh's flick was well-saved by Japanese goalkeeper Takashi Yoshikawa.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan won a penalty corner in the following minutes but couldn't make much of the opportunity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">India then broke into a fierce counter and made a successful circle entry but Vivek's reverse hit was well-saved by Japanese custodian.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan, though, made the most of their second penalty corner when Yamada used a smart variation to catch Indian goal keeper Krishan Pathak off-guard and level the scores in the 43rd minute.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Japan had a great chance to take a 3-2 lead when they were awarded a penalty stroke but Yamada's flick was wide off target.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mandeep then deflected in an improvised fashion to restore India the lead in the 58th minute.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Ramandeep then added another for India to seal the match in his side's favour. </p>