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The Asian Champions Trophy witnessed an exciting match between Thailand and Japan, resulting in a historic draw for Thailand. Despite being thrashed by China on the opening day, Thailand showcased resilience and determination, earning their first-ever point against Japan in a 1-1 draw. This marked a significant achievement for Thailand, considering their past encounters with the world's 11th-ranked team. Kunjira Inpa's opening goal in the 12th minute took everyone by surprise, igniting hope for a potential victory. However, Japan managed to equalize in the 55th minute through Miyu Hasegawa, securing a point for their team. While Japan will be disappointed with their inability to convert more penalty corners (only one out of seven), Thailand's spirited performance undoubtedly stands as a testament to their growth and development in the sport.
Meanwhile, China, mirroring India's performance on Monday, faced initial resistance from Malaysia's defense. Despite scoring the first goal through Anhui Yu in the 12th minute, China struggled to find the back of the net again until the 41st minute. Jinzhuang Tan's goal finally broke the deadlock, solidifying China's dominance. The final quarter witnessed a surge of goals from China, with Lihang Wang scoring the third in the 49th minute, followed by two more goals from Tan and Guoting Hao in the 55th and 57th minutes respectively. This relentless attack resulted in a comprehensive 5-0 victory for the world's sixth-ranked team.
Looking ahead, the tournament promises further exciting clashes. China will now face Japan in their next match on Thursday, while Malaysia will take on South Korea. The competition continues to unfold, showcasing the skills and strategies of the participating teams. As the matches progress, we can anticipate more thrilling moments and unexpected outcomes in this prestigious hockey tournament.
Source: Thailand earn 1st ever point vs Japan; China beat Malaysia