Japan Women's Hockey team outlasted the Indian women's hockey team 2-0 in the team Women's Asia Cup 2022 on Sunday evening. The Pool A match saw some fighting spirit from the Indian women's but they had to bow out to the defending champions.
India was put on to a backfoot in only the second minute of the match. The first goal from the Japan team just broke the shackles for them. It was the Japanese captain Yuri Nagai who took the first blood out of the Indians.
An intense game of hockey but not the one in favour of #TeamInBlue
On to the next one ?
?? 2:0 ??#IndiaKaGame #WAC2022 pic.twitter.com/NsJ51G3meq
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 23, 2022
Although, the Indian Women's team did manage to put up some attacks in the Japanese box line. But, without any serious effect. The first quarter finished with Japan leading 1-0 up.
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In the second quarter, the Indian team looked more confident as they started matching the quality of the Japanese attacks with great defensive skills. Meanwhile, Indian front line attackers Navneet Kaur, Sharmila Devi, Lalremsiami and Vandana Katariya kept on shooting some shots in the Japanese goal line. However, they could not manage any results out of those attacks. Japanese goalkeeper Eika Nakamura looked top-notched as well saving those bullets from Navneet.
Post the first half, India created some major chances but failed to put anything on the scoreline. However, that created the gap Japan needed to ensure their second goal of the match. Saki Tanaka's 42-minute goal put more pressure on the Indians as they started scrambling in front of the defending champions.
Although India did manage to earn two penalty corners in the final quarter, neither Deep Grace nor Gurjit Kaur could manage any goal for the Indian team.
India will now face Singapore tonight in their third Poool A match in the Women's Asia Cup. The match will start at 20.30 hrs IST.
Not the best result today, but, we have another game in the group stage to head to the ? of the charts! ??#IndiaKaGame #WAC2022 pic.twitter.com/rAVSmmwKIQ
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) January 23, 2022