Ranchi, November 1: The Indian women’s hockey team registered an impressive 2-1 win against Japan in their fourth game at the ongoing Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 in Ranchi. Navneet Kaur (31′) and Sangeeta Kumari (47′) scored the goals. The only goal for India was scored by Kana Urata (37′), which was the only goal for Japan.
India started the game with an aggressive approach and applied constant pressure to unsettle Japan. Despite India’s efforts, Japan admirably maintained their dominance, fought back and even had a penalty corner chance in the first quarter, although they could not convert it.
- Advertisement -
The second quarter also saw similar intensity, with India constantly attempting to score, but Japan’s tenacious defense thwarted their attempts. India had chances, including a penalty corner, but Japan goalkeeper Akio Tanaka made remarkable saves and kept the score goalless at halftime.
India broke the deadlock early in the third quarter when Navneet Kaur scored to take a 1-0 lead. Japan responded immediately and equalized the score with Kana Urata’s goal from a penalty corner.
झारखण्ड महिला एशियन चैंपियंस ट्रॉफी 2023 में लगातार चौथी जीत के लिए टीम इंडिया को अनेक-अनेक बधाई, शुभकामनाएं और जोहार।
आज अपने-अपने मैच जीतने के लिए चीन और कोरिया की टीम को भी हार्दिक बधाई।#JOHARASIA #JWACT2023 #Jharkhand #HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #WomenInBlue pic.twitter.com/FbKvyyjM3C
— Hemant Soren (@HemantSorenJMM) October 31, 2023
Throughout the match, India continued to play aggressively to gain the lead. Despite scoring chances, Japan’s goalkeeper, Eika Nakamura, made important saves, leading to a 1–1 deadlock at the end of the third quarter.
In the last quarter, India took advantage of three consecutive penalty corners, in which Sangeeta Kumari gave her team a 2-1 lead. Although India could not convert the second penalty corner, they defended fiercely and did not give Japan any chance to equalize.
India won the game 2-1 and are set to face Korea in their last pool stage match on November 2.
