Rajgir: The Indian Women’s Hockey Team secured a 2-0 victory over Japan in the semi-final of the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024, played at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium today. The match saw a strong performance from India, with Navneet Kaur (48’) converting a penalty stroke in the final quarter to break the deadlock, followed by Lalremsiami (56’) sealing the win with a second goal. India will now face China in the final tomorrow.
The match began with India applying high pressure on Japan, creating early circle entries. Despite several attempts, including shots from Navneet and Sangita, the Japanese goalkeeper, Yu Kudo, stood firm, keeping the score level. India continued to dominate possession, winning the ball high up the pitch, but their finishing touch was lacking in the opening quarter. With just minutes remaining, India earned a penalty corner, but Navneet’s shot was deflected over the bar. Another penalty corner soon followed, but Japan’s defense remained resolute, keeping the score at 0-0.
The second quarter saw India’s aggressive play continue. Lalremsiami made a dangerous run down the left wing, but the move was left unfinished as no one was available to capitalize on her effort. Despite creating more penalty corner opportunities, India was unable to convert, with Kudo making multiple crucial saves. Japan struggled to break through the Indian defense, failing to generate any significant circle entries or threaten the Indian goal.
In the third quarter, India slowed the tempo, looking for clear scoring opportunities, but Japan’s defense remained strong, blocking any potential chances. India earned several more penalty corners, but Kudo continued her impressive performance in goal, frustrating the Indian attackers. As the quarter ended, India remained unable to find a breakthrough, leaving the score still level.
The breakthrough came early in the final quarter. After a penalty corner, Deepika’s shot was saved by Kudo, but the next sequence saw India awarded a penalty stroke after a foul in the circle. Navneet Kaur stepped up and confidently converted the stroke to give India a 1-0 lead. The momentum did not slow down, and with less than five minutes remaining, Sunelita Toppo made a brilliant run down the right wing, passing the ball to Lalremsiami, who smashed it into the goal to double India’s lead.
Japan was awarded a penalty corner with less than two minutes to go, but India’s goalkeeper, Bichu, was alert and denied Japan’s final attempt, securing India’s place in the final.
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s dominant performance has set up an exciting final clash against China, as they look to continue their pursuit of the title.