India Eyeing Perfect Game Against Japan in Semifinal of FIH Series Finals

A tricky opponent in Asian Games champion Japan is sure to test India but home advantage gives Manpreet Singh and his men the upper-hand in the semifinal of the FIH Series Finals hockey tournament here Friday.

Even though they registered some big wins in the preliminary stages against lower-ranked opponents, the Indians, under new chief coach Graham Reid, are yet to showcase their perfect game on the turf. The finalists will qualify for the FIH Olympic Qualifiers to be held in October-November this year.

India notched up 10-0 wins over Russia and Uzbekistan and scraped past Poland 3-1 in the pool stages.