Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], October 31 (ANI): The Indian girls’s hockey crew performed a unprecedented recreation to defeat the mighty Japan by 2-1, registering their fourth consecutive win within the ongoing Women’s Asian Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
India will subsequent play three-time champions Korea within the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy on Thursday.
In an intense high-voltage match-up between the Indian assault and the Japanese defence, the hosts got here out on prime, annihilating the Japanese defence and persevering with their unbroken run on the Asian Champions title. Earlier within the day, Vandana Katariya turned the primary Indian hockey participant to attain the milestone of taking part in 300 worldwide matches.
The recreation was a high-intensity nail-biter, with the Indians popping out on prime on the finish. The Indians interrupted the Japanese custom of not conceding a purpose within the competitors, because the Japanese defence was convincingly pierced by skilful Indian strikers.
The Indians chased the Japanese all through the sport, together with standout efforts from Navneet, Deepika, Salima, and Sangeetha. The Indian defence was a formidable barrier that the Japanese have been unable to interrupt.
In the second quarter, the match continued the identical sample. Despite having seven circle penetrations to Japan’s three and 58 per cent possession, neither facet was in a position to breach the opposition’s defence.
India acquired out to a fast second-half begin, breaking the impasse within the first minute. Navneet Kaur struck a robust tomahawk from the centre of the circle, assisted by Salima Tete within the center.
India’s lead was short-lived, when Indian ahead Deepika was despatched off, leaving the squad with solely 10 gamers. Japan took benefit of the scenario and earned a penalty nook. Kana Urata’s beautiful drag-flick into the highest of the online tied the sport.
While there wasn’t a lot separating the 2 hockey groups within the first 45 minutes, India appeared to have the higher hand within the fourth quarter.
India didn’t convert their first two penalty corners of the sport however scored on their third try. Deepika’s drag-flick was deflected into the purpose by Sangita Kumari, giving India a 2-1 lead. (ANI)