Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019: India start campaign with a win, defeat Asian Games gold medallist Japan

India defeated Asian Games gold medallist Japan 2-0 to start their campaign at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup hockey tournament on a positive note in Ipoh Malaysia on Saturday.

Varun Kumar converted a penalty corner in the 24th minute to hand India the lead before Simranjeet Singh (55th) scored a diving field goal from skipper Manpreet Singh's brilliant pass to secure full three points for the five-time champions.

.@varunhockey was adjudged as the Man of the Match in the opening encounter of the 28th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup 2019 for seeing India through with a crucial goal!#IndiaKaGame #SultanAzlanShahCup2019 pic.twitter.com/XFlUZrS4yT

— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) March 23, 2019

India will play Korea in their next league game on Sunday before taking on hosts Malaysia (March 26), Canada (March March 27) and Poland (March 29).

The top two teams from the round robin league stage will play in the final on March 30.