Japan managed to open their account through a field goal by Kentaro Fukuda in the 25th minute, but Mandeep scored two field goals in quick succession to help India take a massive lead at 5-1.
It was in the ninth minute that India found themselves on the front-foot, and ended up winning a penalty corner. The resulting drag-flick from Gurjit was struck beautifully and beat the Japanese goalkeeper Megumi Kageyama to give India an early lead.
On being named the captain of the team for the Olympic Test event in Japan where India will take on nemesis Malaysia, New Zealand and hosts Japan starting August 17, Harmanpreet, 23, feels he is ready for the new challenge.