India beat Japan 4-1 at the Olympian Surjit Singh Hockey Stadium in Jalandhar on Friday to book a place in the semi-finals of the men's Asian Champions Trophy, making it three wins from three matches for the defending champions. Abhishek scored twice in a player-of-the-match performance on his 150th international appearance, while captain Harmanpreet Singh and Vishnu Kant Singh added one goal each.

Abhishek opened the scoring in the 11th minute with a field goal, but Japan responded quickly. Shota Yamada levelled from a penalty stroke in the 15th minute, and the hosts had to wait until the final quarter to take control of the match. India had already beaten Bangladesh 13-0 and China 5-2 in their first two games, and the win over Japan confirmed their place in the last four.

Final-quarter surge

Harmanpreet put India ahead in the 47th minute, converting the side's only penalty corner of the match with a powerful drag-flick. Abhishek then completed his brace in the 51st minute after a well-worked move down the left, and Vishnu Kant sealed the result in the 56th minute with a superb individual effort, bringing down Harmanpreet's aerial pass before driving in and flicking the ball past the goalkeeper.

India now sit top of the standings with nine points from three matches and a goal difference of plus 19. Malaysia also have nine points after beating Bangladesh 6-1, but trail on goal difference. Japan are third on six points, followed by South Korea on three after their 2-1 win over China, while China and Bangladesh are yet to register a point.

India, chasing a record-extending sixth title, next face Malaysia on Sunday 1 November in Jalandhar — a useful test before the knockout rounds.