The Indian men's hockey team is set to face Japan in a crucial Pool A match at the Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir, Bihar, today. Both teams are aiming for a smooth path to the Super 4s stage, with the match potentially determining the group leader.
India began their Asia Cup campaign with a narrow 4-3 victory against China. Captain Harmanpreet Singh starred with a hat-trick, while Jugraj Singh contributed the other goal. China, ranked 23rd in the world, proved to be a tough opponent, with Shihao Du, Benhai Chen, and Jiesheng Gao scoring for their team.
Japan, on the other hand, started their tournament with a dominant 7-0 win over Kazakhstan. This impressive victory gives them an edge in goal difference over India in the Pool A standings.
The India vs Japan match is scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM IST at the Rajgir International Sports Complex Stadium. Live streaming will be available on the Sony LIV app and website in India. The match will also be telecast on the Sony Sports Network.
This year's Asia Cup is particularly significant as it serves as a qualifier for the 2026 FIH Men's Hockey World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands. The winner of the Asia Cup will secure a direct spot in the World Cup, while the teams finishing second to sixth will have another chance to qualify through the FIH Hockey World Cup Qualifiers in February-March next year.
India, currently ranked seventh in the world, has a strong head-to-head record against Japan, with 17 wins out of 20 matches played between the two sides. Japan has won only two matches, with one draw. However, Japan's fast-paced and disciplined style of play could pose a challenge to the Indian team.
Harmanpreet Singh leads an 18-member Indian squad that includes experienced players such as Manpreet Singh, Hardik Singh, Vivek Sagar Prasad, Mandeep Singh, and Amit Rohidas.
The Asia Cup 2025 features eight teams divided into two pools. Pool A consists of India, Japan, China, and Kazakhstan, while Pool B includes South Korea, Malaysia, Bangladesh, and Chinese Taipei. The top two teams from each pool will advance to the Super 4s stage, where they will compete for a place in the final.
India's remaining schedule in the pool stage includes a match against Kazakhstan on September 1st. The Super 4s matches and classification matches are scheduled to begin on September 3rd, with the final on September 7th.
With a World Cup berth at stake, India will be aiming to put up an improved performance against Japan and secure a place in the Super 4s with a strong showing.
