Changzhou: India’s women’s hockey team squandered an early lead to draw 1-1 against Japan in their last Super 4s clash of the Asia Cup on Saturday, leaving their place in the final dependent on other results.
Beauty Dung Dung gave India a dream start, scoring a field goal in the seventh minute. Despite dominating large phases, India failed to extend their advantage. Japan struck back just two minutes before full time, with Kobayakawa Shiho scoring the equaliser in the 58th minute after a move initiated by captain Amiru Shimada.
It was the second time the two sides had cancelled each other out in the tournament, after their pool match ended 2-2.
India now sit on four points from a win, a loss, and a draw, with a goal difference of -1. Hosts China, already assured of a final spot after defeating India earlier in the stage, top the Super 4s with six points and could move to nine if they beat Korea later today.
For India to qualify, China must either win or draw against Korea. Korea, with just one point and a -2 goal difference, must beat China by a two-goal margin to edge India out of the final.
India had started brightly, with Ishika Chaudhary hitting the post early on. Japan pushed forward in the second quarter but failed to breach India’s defence. The final quarter saw both sides trading attacks, with India earning multiple penalty corners but failing to convert. Japan held their nerve in the closing stages to deny India a much-needed victory.
