Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: India edge Japan 4-3 courtesy Mandeep Singh's hattrick

India defeated Japan 4-3 in the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup on Wednesday courtesy Mandeep Singh's hat-trick and an opening strike from Rupinder Pal Singh.

India did well to turn around a spectacular performance in the fourth quarter as Mandeep Singh completed a hat-trick and overturned a one-goal deficit at the end of the third quarter.

The win puts India on top of the points. India is next scheduled to face hosts Malaysia in their final league encounter. India stands a great chance of qualifying for the knockouts by beating Malaysia. India had started off their campaign against Great Britain with a draw before blanking New Zealand 3-0 in their second game. India was handed their first defeat by defending champions Australia.