New Delhi: A young and inexperienced Indian men’s hockey team slumped to their second consecutive defeat in the Asian Champions Trophy, losing 1-2 to hosts Japan at Kakamigahara on Sunday.
India, mainly made up of junior players, squandered a lead to go down fighting against the Japanese, who rode on two field goals from Yasuhiro Nakayama to post their second straight win in the tournament.
Gurjinder Singh gave India the lead in the 12th minute by converting a penalty stroke before Nakayama drew parity in the 23rd minute. Nakayama scored the winner in the 54th minute with another field strike.
India had earlier lost 0-1 to China in their tournament opener on Saturday. The Indians will face Oman in their next match on Tuesday. (PTI )