India defeated China 5-2 in their Asian Champions Trophy round-robin match in Jalandhar on Thursday, a result that lifted the defending champions back to the top of the standings, according to India Today. Harmanpreet Singh and Sukhjeet Singh each scored twice, and Jugraj Singh added the fifth. The win was India's second in a row in the round-robin stage.
India Today reported that China's young side showed promise at points in the contest, but the home team's quality told over the four quarters.
Why it matters
The result keeps India unbeaten and sets up a meeting with Japan on Friday. Japan have also won all of their matches so far, making that fixture the decisive one in the round-robin phase. India Today noted that India rested some senior players against China, so the lineup head coach Fulton selects for the Japan game will be watched closely.
How the five goals arrived
India controlled possession from the opening whistle and spent much of the first quarter probing for an opening. Chances came but went unconverted, including an effort from Mandeep that missed the target. The deadlock was broken shortly before the end of the quarter when Jugraj, who had been fouled, sent a long pass to an unmarked Sukhjeet, who lifted the ball over the advancing Chinese goalkeeper.
China responded in the second quarter. India Today's reporter at the ground described India as looking static during that spell, and China equalised through Peng Yang after winning a penalty corner. Harmanpreet restored the lead with a penalty corner of his own, his shot travelling straight through the middle and giving goalkeeper Wu no chance. India had two more penalty corners in quick succession before the break, the first blocked by a rusher and the second saved by Wu.
The third quarter belonged to India. Sukhjeet scored his second of the night after a pass cut through the Chinese defence into the circle, and Harmanpreet converted another penalty corner to make it 4-1. India Today reported that the goal drew a loud response from the Jalandhar crowd for the local player. China pulled one back in the 36th minute through Chongcong Chen, whose penalty corner took deflections on its way in; India Today's reporter felt the Indian goalkeeper should have dealt with it better.
Jugraj scored India's fifth in the 47th minute to settle the match. Earlier in the fourth quarter, India had won a penalty corner but the chance came to nothing, with Jugraj's shot blocked, Nilakanta's follow-up saved, and the umpire awarding a free hit to China.
A young Chinese side that kept pressing
India Today's live coverage noted that China arrived with a different, younger lineup and were content to concede possession and look for counter-attacks. That approach nearly produced an early chance, which Jarmanpreet cleared. China also won the game's first penalty corner after a Dilpreet error, though Amit defended it.
The same report observed that China grew into the match and arguably had the better of the second quarter even though India led at half-time. The Chinese defence held firm for long stretches of the first quarter, and India Today's reporter said the hosts were unlucky not to be further ahead by that stage.
What to watch
India face Japan on Friday. Both teams have won every match they have played in the tournament so far, and India Today reports that Fulton rested some stars against China, leaving the composition of Friday's side an open question.
