Image Source: X(India all sports)
India displayed a commanding performance to defeat Japan 3-1 in the semi-finals of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Muscat on Saturday. With this win, the defending champions secured their spot in the final, maintaining their pursuit of another title.
The Indian team came out with guns blazing in the first quarter, scoring three goals within the opening 13 minutes. Mumtaz Khan struck in the 4th minute after capitalizing on a defensive lapse by Japan, giving India an early lead. Just a minute later, Sakshi Rana doubled the advantage with a well-placed field goal, showcasing India’s attacking prowess.
Deepika added to Japan’s misery in the 13th minute by converting a penalty stroke, extending India’s lead to 3-0. The first quarter was completely one-sided, with India controlling possession and creating opportunities at will. Sunelita Toppo’s excellent interception in the second minute set the tone for a strong defensive display that thwarted Japan’s early attempts.
Japan’s Response and India’s Resilience
Japan regrouped in the second quarter, determined to cut the deficit. Their perseverance paid off in the 23rd minute when Niko Maruyama scored a consolation goal on the counterattack. The Japanese side created more opportunities and even came close to adding another goal, but Indian goalkeeper Nidhi stood tall under pressure.
India’s relentless attacks continued, but Japanese goalkeeper Saito Miaki produced several stellar saves to deny them further goals, including a crucial stop from a penalty corner in the 22nd minute. Despite Japan’s improved performance, India went into halftime with a comfortable 3-1 lead.
India Holds Firm Despite Japan’s Late Push
In the second half, Japan’s counterattacks grew more frequent, testing the Indian defense. India adopted a more cautious approach in the final two quarters, relying on their defensive organization to keep the opponents at bay.
The final quarter was particularly tense as Japan made several attempts to stage a comeback. Indian goalkeeper Nidhi was the hero in the 46th minute, making back-to-back saves to preserve the lead. The Indian defense, led by captain Jyoti Singh, held firm to ensure there were no slip-ups.
Path to the Final
India’s victory was a testament to their attacking flair and defensive grit. The defending champions showed significant improvement since their group-stage loss to China, using swift counterattacks and disciplined defense to dominate Japan.
India now awaits the winner of the second semi-final between China and South Korea in the tournament’s final showdown.
With this emphatic win, India has sent a clear message that they are determined to retain their title. All eyes will be on their performance in the final as they aim to solidify their supremacy in Asian junior women’s hockey.
