Hangzhou (China): The Indian women’s hockey team qualified for the Asia Cup final despite playing out a 1-1 draw against Japan after hosts China beat Korea 1-0 in the last match of the Super 4 stage here on Saturday.
India will face China in the summit clash on Sunday, and the winning team will qualify for next year’s World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
After the 1-1 draw against defending champions Japan, India had to wait for the result of the match between Korea and China, who have already qualified for the final.
India started strongly and looked threatening right from the outset, with Ishika Chaudhary hitting the post early on. Japan pushed back with some attacking moves but India struck first when Beauty Dung Dung deflected a shot from Neha into the goal. India maintained pressure and earned the game’s first penalty corner towards the end of the first quarter, finishing that period ahead 1-0.
The second quarter saw Japan intensify its attack as it chased the equalizer. Although Japan earned a penalty corner early on, India’s defense successfully thwarted their efforts. As the half progressed, India regained control and launched several attacks, but Japan’s defense remained resilient, leaving India leading 1-0 at halftime.
In the third quarter, India increased their offensive pressure, with Lalremsiami playing a key role in driving forward attacks. Despite repeated attempts, the Indian side was unable to extend its lead as Japan’s defense held firm. India’s dominance continued but the scoreboard remained unchanged at 1-0 going into the final quarter.
Japan stepped up their assaults in the last quarter in search of a crucial equalizer. Indian defenders continued to repel multiple attacks, but midway through the period, India pushed forward again, winning multiple penalty corners. Near the end, Japan equalized through Kobayakawa, and the match concluded in a 1-1 stalemate.
India’s progression to the final depends on China’s result against Korea, where a Chinese win or a loss by fewer than three goals will see India reach the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 final.