Bhubaneswar: Asian Games champion Japan started their preparation for next year’s Tokyo Olympics in the right earnest, beating Mexico 3-1 in their opening match of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here Friday at the Kalinga Stadium.
Having already qualified for the Olympics being the hosts as well as the continental champions, Japan are taking this tournament as a preparation for the quadrennial event.
World no. 18 Japan’s campaign got off to a perfect start when Hirotaka Zendana (third, 34th minutes) converted two penalty corners while Shota Yamada (21st) scored from a penalty stroke to emerge winners in the Pool B encounter.
However, it was a comeback of sorts for Japan. They were in for an early shock when Erik Hernandez gave World No 39 Mexico the lead as early as the third minute.
The lead, however, was shortlived as within seconds Zendana struck from Japan’s first penalty corner to draw level. It was a move from Japan that had the Mexican defence in shambles leading to the penalty corner.
Thereafter, the Japanese slowly and steadily got their footing in the match and controlled the proceedings.
Japan will play South Africa in their next match Saturday, while Mexico will be up against USA.
The top two teams of the ongoing FIH Series Finals will seal their berths in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers to be played October-November this year.
PNN & Agencies