Asian Games: India reclaim men's hockey gold with 5-1 win over Japan , bag Olympics berth

This was the India's fourth gold medalat the Asian Games after the 1966 and 1988 editions in Bangkok and Incheon 2014

- HARPAL SINGH

Unleashing their furious firepower India dethroned defending champion Japan 5-1 to regain the Asian Games hockey gold, after a gap of nine years, and secure Paris Olympic berth at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Friday.

This was the India's fourth gold medal at the Asian Games after the 1966 and 1988 editions in Bangkok and Incheon 2014. 

For their dominant performance and the all-important victory, Hockey India announced a prize of Rs 5.00 Lakhs for each player of Team, along with Rs 2.50 Lakhs each for the support staff.

Manpreet Singh (25’), Harmanpreet Singh (32, 59’’), Amit Rohidas (36’) and Abhishek (48’) scored the goals for the winners Tanaka Seren (51’) netted the only goal for Japan.

India controlled the game and dictated the proceedings from the very start. They were dominate both in the defence and while attacking and while the Japanses did their best to counter they could not breach the well-coordinated defence helmed by skipper Harmanpreet.