Asian Games: Indian women make it 4 out of 4 and Japan in sight

India continued their impressive run in the women’s hockey competition as they beat hosts Japan 3-1 on Friday to make it four wins in a row and move closer to reaching the semi-finals. Lalremsiami gave India an early lead in the fifth minute before Ishika Chaudhary doubled the advantage just before half-time.

Navneet Kaur then added a third six minutes into the second half as Japan pulled one back through Shiho Kobayakawa in the final quarter. India will complete their Group B campaign against Singapore on Sunday.

ASIAN GAMES, UPDATE 25 SEPTEMBER

The result extends what has been a dominant start to the competition. India started with a 19-0 demolition of Uzbekistan, followed it up with a 17-1 win over Indonesia before beating Thailand 20-1 to sit top of the group.

India wasted little time in taking control against Japan, Lalremsiami converting a field goal in the fifth minute. The visitors continued to press forward, although the Japanese defense was able to absorb the pressure.

The hosts created a few openings of their own but struggled to find a way through India’s organized back line.

India’s penalty kick execution was less convincing, with only one of the first five opportunities scoring. However, they bagged three more in quick succession towards the end of the opening half, with Ishika eventually converting a rebound from Navneet’s opening try.

India carried that momentum into the third quarter and added another in the 36th minute. Navneet produced a superb finish after creating the opening with a smart stick to give India a three-wicket lead.

The Indian defense was particularly effective during the third quarter, repeatedly intercepting Japanese attacks and limiting the hosts’ time inside the circle.

Japan finally found a breakthrough early in the final quarter. Kobayakawa unleashed a powerful tomahawk from the top of the circle in the 46th minute and beat veteran goalkeeper Savita to make the cut.

India had another penalty corner four minutes later but failed to convert it. Japan then earned a late opportunity of their own, but India’s defense held firm to see off the contest and secure another win.

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