Asian Champions Trophy 2023 Semi-final, India Vs Japan: India Thrash Japan 5-0, Set Up Final With Malaysia - In Pics

A dominant India mauled reigning Asian champions Japan 5-0 to enter their fourth final of the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium on Friday. While three-time champions India adopted a high-press hockey from the onset, Japan played deep into their defence to thwart the home team's attacks. Goals from Akashdeep Singh (19th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (23rd), Mandeep Singh (30th), Sumit (39th) and Karthi Selvam (51st) were enough to give India a smooth sailing into the final. India will take on Malaysia in the final on Saturday, whom the hosts had blanked 5-0 in the round-robin stage while Japan will lock horns against title holders South Korea in the third-fourth place play-off match.

Updated: 12 Aug 2023 10:56 am

Asian Champions Trophy hockey: India vs Japan | Photo: PTI/R. Parthibhan

Japan's Seren Tanaka congratulates India's Parattu Raveendran Sreejesh after India won the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match against Japan in Chennai.

Japan's Taiki Takade reacts after his team lost the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match against India in Chennai.

India players celebrate after scoring their fifth goal during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.

India's Sumit, second left, celebrates after scoring the fourth goal during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.

India's Manpreet Singh, left, loses his balance as Japan's Taiki Takade looks on during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.

India players celebrate their third goal during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.

India's Hardik Singh is surrounded by Japan's Kosei Kawabe, left, and Genki Mitani during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.

India's Mandeep Singh and Japan's Masaki Ohashi, left, are in action during the second semifinal men's Asian Champions Trophy hockey match between India and Japan in Chennai.