The Indian men’s hockey team registered its third consecutive win at the Tokyo Olympics on Friday, defeating hosts Japan 5-3 in the final group stage match. The win ensures India finish second in Pool A with 12 points, having won four out of their five matches, with their only defeat coming against table-toppers Australia, a 7-1 drubbing.   

Gurjant Singh scored twice for India, with Harmanpreet Singh, Nilakanta Sharma and Shamsher Singh also getting their names on the scoresheet. Gurjant and Harmapreet scored from penalty corners. 

Also Read | Djokovic’s Golden Slam pursuit ends in Tokyo; Zverev dashes into final

Meanwhile, Kazuma Murata, Kenta Tanaka and Kota Watanabe were the scorers for Japan. 

The hosts fought back in the second and third quarter after India ended the first 15 minutes with a 1-0 advantage. Going into the final quarter with the score at 2-3, Japan caved in from the pressure as the Indians scored two goals in the final nine minutes. The hosts scored a consolation goal in the final minute. 

India were already assured of a place in the quarter-finals going into the match, after recording consecutive victories against Spain and Argentina. India also won their opening game against New Zealand, before finishing at the wrong end of a 7-1 scoreline against Australia. 

Also Read | Tokyo Olympics: PV Sindhu enters semis, beats Akane Yamaguchi

Australia finished top of the table with 13 points from five games. Their 1-1 draw against Spain earlier today ensured the Kookaburras did not finish with a perfect record in Pool A. 

In Pool B, Belgium are top of the table with four wins from four games. The Netherlands and Great Britain are tied on seven points each, with the Dutch ahead on goal difference. Germany are fourth with six points, while South Africa are fifth with four points.