India battered listless Japan 8-0 in the Classification match of the FIH Odisha Men's Hockey World Cup at Birsa Munda Stadium in Rourkela on Thursday.
India upped their ante and struck in the third quarter after the first half ended goalless.
Mandeep Singh, Manpreet Singh, Sukhjeet Singh, and Vivek Sagar Prasad each scored one goal. Harmanpreet Singh and Abhishek both scored a brace each. No goal was scored by the Japan side.
India will now take on South Africa in the battle for ninth or tenth place on January 28.
Japan showed agility at times and custodian Takashi performed admirably. However, the Japanese defence was unable to withstand the relentless attack by the Indians. India's Abhishek was announced Man of the Match because of his two goals.
India are out of the contention for the medal race after losing their crossover game against Kiwis 5-4 in the penalty shoot-out.