India dominated Japan in the Asian Champions Trophy 2023 semi-final match, winning 5-0 at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium in Chennai on Friday. As a consequence, Harmanpreet Singh and company have advanced to the final, where they will face Malaysia on Saturday at the same location.
In the title final, India captain Harmanpreet Singh, who is also the tournament’s leading scorer with eight goals in six matches, will be a focal point. Malaysia, who defeated reigning champions South Korea in the semi-finals, will rely heavily on Ashari Firhan, who is third in the top-scorer list with four goals in six games.
“Securing a place in the final is a very big thing for us and we would like to do well in the final. It will be a tough game. We are fully ready and we know that it is important for us to win,” averred India captain Harmanpreet.
Sreejesh, who will make his 301st international appearance, discussed India’s goalkeeping situation.
“Good goalkeepers are incoming. (Krishan) Pathak is getting really well. Pawan (Malik) is there with us. Suraj (Karkera) is also there. We have a good keepers’ pool at the junior level. Goalkeeping is a responsible job, and once you concede goals, you should know how to handle that pressure and situation and how to manage it. Experience is going to help you with that, while I also believe the goalkeeping is in good hands now,” he added.
