HANGZHOU: India squandered an early lead to settle for a 1-1 draw against Japan in their last Super 4s match, keeping alive slim hopes of reaching the final of the Women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday.
India got off to a bright start, finding the breakthrough in the seventh minute through forward Beauty Dung Dung, who finished neatly from open play. The early goal gave the side momentum, but Japan held their shape and grew into the contest as the first quarter wore on.
The second quarter saw Japan pressing higher, searching for a response. They even forced a penalty corner, but the Indian defence and goalkeeper Bichu Devi stood strong to deny them. India looked more composed as the half progressed, regaining possession and stringing together attacks. Despite Japan’s late pressure, India went into the interval holding a slender 1-0 advantage.
The pattern continued in the third quarter, with Japan pushing numbers forward in search of the equaliser, while India tried to hit on the counter. The Indian forwards worked openings and even earned a series of penalty corners in the final quarter, but the finishing touch eluded them.
Japan’s persistence finally paid off in the dying stages. In the 58th minute, captain Amiru Shimada surged down the left and drove the ball into the circle. Amid a goalmouth scramble, Shiho Kobayakawa pounced on the loose ball and swept it past Bichu Devi to restore parity. India pressed hard in the final moments and even won a penalty corner before the hooter, but Japan’s defence held firm as the match ended with honours shared.
This was the second time the two teams cancelled each other out in the competition, following their 2-2 draw in the pool stage.
The result left India on four points from three games, with one win, one loss and a draw, and a goal difference of -1. China, who have already secured their spot in the final after back-to-back wins, lead the standings with six points and can extend it to nine if they beat Korea later on Saturday. Korea has just one point and a goal difference of -2.
India’s passage to the final will depend on the outcome of that clash. A Chinese win or draw would send India through to face the hosts in the title match. However, if Korea manage to beat China by a two-goal margin, they will leapfrog India into the final.