Hockey: India clinch Asia Cup bronze after beating Japan 1-0

Jakarta: India defeated Japan 1-0 to win a bronze medal at the Hockey Asia Cup on Wednesday. Raj Kumar Pal scored the solitary goal for India in the 6th minute of the match.

India, who entered the tournament as defending champions, failed to make the final of the Asia Cup after playing out a thrilling 4-4 draw against South Korea in the last Super 4s match on Tuesday.

Birendra Lakra-led side needed a win to qualify for the gold medal match as Malaysia had already beaten Japan 5-0 earlier in the day to seal a spot in the top two of the Super 4s.

After the draw against South Korea -- Malaysia, India and South Korea – ended the Super 4s with five points each.

India, however, could not progress to final because of their lower goal difference of +1 compared to South Korea (+2) and Malaysia (+5). (UNI)