India beat Japan 2-0 in the second hockey Test played at the Kalinga Stadium, Bhuvneshwar. It was a much improved performance by the Indian team who played some aggressive hockey.
First quarter ended in listless play with no excitement for the spectators.
Second quarter continued to be equally slow but on Eighth minute (7.35) India wasted a penalty corner. Raghunath’s shot was intercepted by a defending player. In the 12 (11:15) minutes Japan earned a penalty corner. A well taken shot was very well saved by Sreejesh the Indian goalkeeper. In the 14 minute (13:40) Yuvraj Vamiki gave a reverse flick pass which evaded Japanese defending player and goalkeeper and reached third player Uthappa who converted into a goal to give India a 1-0 lead.
In 9th minute of third quarter Indian goalkeeper made another excellent effort of Japanese forward’s effort. In 12th minute Gurubaj lost an opportunity to score after reaching very close to goal post.
In 3rd (2.25) minute of fourth quarter Dharamveer scored another goal of a rebound from Japanese goalkeeper for a shot from Ramandeep very close to goal post 8 the minute (7.15) to give India 2-0 lead. Sreejesh then saved a well hit shot but a penalty corner was awarded. Japan could not convert the resulting penalty into a goal. Yuvraj missed a scoring opportunity 10 the minute. In 12th minute Ramandeep having entered the circle wasted an opportunity. In the next minute Nikkin Thimayya lost another opportunity. Within next few minutes he missed another chance. This has given India 1-0 lead in best of four Test series.
The third Test will be played on 7th of May.