Auckland [New Zealand], June 16 (ANI): The Indian Women’s Hockey Team defeated Japan 2-1 of their second Pool A match of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2026 on Tuesday on the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland to safe a spot within the semi-finals, having received each their pool video games to this point.
Captain and ‘Player of the Match’ Salima Tete (33′) and Lalremsiami (49′) netted the objectives for India whereas Hiramitsu Ai (35′) was the lone goalscorer for Japan. It was a memorable recreation for midfielder Jyoti, who marked her a hundredth senior worldwide look, in keeping with a press launch.
The first half was extraordinarily tight with either side creating probabilities, however none may break the impasse until half-time.
The recreation opened up within the third quarter as India scored first within the thirty third minute by means of a properly executed penalty nook variation. Navneet Kaur’s strike was deflected completely to Salima by Nikki Pradhan, and the skipper slotted it into the purpose to offer India the lead.
Japan promptly replied two minutes later, as Hiramitsu (35′) transformed from a penalty nook to attain the equaliser.
With all to play for within the remaining quarter, India’s Lalremsiami discovered the profitable purpose within the forty ninth minute. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam performed an incisive go from the sting of the circle in direction of the purpose and located Lalremsiami, who deflected the ball into the web to assist India emerge victorious.
The win took unbeaten India to the highest of Pool A with six factors from wins in opposition to the USA and Japan.
India will subsequent face Uruguay of their final Pool A match of the match on June 18 at 4:15 am IST, whereas Japan and the USA will face off for the second semi-final spot from Pool A. (ANI)