In what was billed as the most balanced match of the day, Japan did not wait long to stake their claim on the game, their prolific striker Kenta TANAKA opening the scoring after less than a minute of play! The Poles were undeterred and reacted immediately, forcing a penalty-corner well converted by Tomasz DUTKIEWICZ a few minutes later.

Despite the rain pouring more and more heavily, the game continued on the same tempo, and Japan soon regain the lead by Tomonori ONO, pouncing on an uncontrolled ball. The same ONO nearly added another goal a few seconds later, but was this time denied by Mariusz CHYŁA in the Polish goal. 

The game flew back and forth in an entertaining manner well appreciated by the courageous fans filling the stands despite the cold, wet and windy conditions. Tomasz DUTKIEWICZ had another chance on penalty-corner, but this time Katsuya TAKASE in the Japanese goal managed to protect his goal with a spectacular stretch. Japan took advantage of a Polish green card to force a penalty-corner in the final minute of the period. Katsuyoshi NAGASAWA scored it with a flick just under the crossbar, but the Japanese joy was short lived, as the Poles immediately pushed forward and managed to score by Maciej JANISZEWSKI with the final second ticking down on the clock!

In second half, play suffered from the adverse conditions but both teams managed to maintain a high tempo. The Japanese strikers had a few chances to increase the lead, but Mariusz CHYŁA stood tall in the Polish goal and the score was still 3-2 with a few minutes to go, triggering a very intense end of match. Poland were desperately pushing to close the gap, but their effort were hampered by a green card to Mirosław JUSZCZAK.

With two wins in so many games, Japan can be happy of a start of competition that put them in ideal position.