The much-anticipated India vs Japan Pool A clash in the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 unfolds on Sunday, August 31, 2025, at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar.
The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, enters the fixture following a narrow 4-3 win in their opening match, while Japan picked up steam with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Kazakhstan.
Both teams sit level on points, though Japan edges ahead on goal difference.
Head-to-Head: A Tale of Dominance and Resilience
Overall Record Across All Tournaments:
India and Japan have met 97 times in men’s international hockey, with India winning 86 matches, Japan triumphing in 6, and 5 ending in draws. India has scored 375 goals, while Japan has scored 89.
Notable Highlights:
- India’s largest victory came with an 11-1 thrashing at the 1932 Los Angeles Olympics.
- In contrast, Japan inflicted their biggest win by beating India 5-2 at the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta—a reminder of their growing competitiveness.
Overall, India maintains a firm edge in the rivalry, but Japan has shown in recent years that it’s capable of turning the tables.
Hockey World Cup Showdowns:
In the Hockey World Cup, India and Japan have faced off three times. India emerged victorious in two, with no wins for Japan. The total goal tally: India with 15 goals, Japan with 2.
Rewritten Match Preview: Emphasizing Rivalry and Stakes
India and Japan are set for a high-stakes Pool A battle at the Hockey Asia Cup 2025 in Rajgir.
Having faced off in 97 past encounters, India’s men’s team holds a dominant edge—86 wins to Japan’s 6, with 375 goals scored compared to Japan’s 89
Their rivalries are landmarks in Asia Cup lore. Still, Japan has shown teeth recently—most notably in a 5-2 upset over India at the 2022 Asia Cup in Jakarta—serving notice that they are formidable contenders.
Meanwhile, in World Cup history, these teams have met three times—India has won twice, and the goal difference stands stark at 15 to 2 in India’s favour
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