India Beats Japan 3-1 to Reach Women’s Junior Asia Cup Hockey Final

Muscat, Dec 14: The defending champions, India, demonstrated their prowess with a convincing 3-1 victory against Japan, earning a spot in the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament on Saturday. Mumtaz Khan (4th minute), Sakshi Rana (5th minute), and Deepika (13th minute) scored in the first quarter, while Japan’s Niko Maruyama netted a consolation goal in the 23rd minute.
From the outset, India, led by Jyoti Singh, dominated the opening quarter, with Sunelita Toppo’s quick interception halting Japan’s penalty corner attempt early on. Two minutes into the game, India capitalized on a defensive blunder, with a swift move from the right flank leading to an unmarked Mumtaz Khan deftly pushing the ball into an open net.
A minute later, Sakshi Rana scored again, extending India’s lead to 2-0. India continued to press, creating a promising opportunity in the seventh minute, although the forwards struggled to convert inside the circle.
Learning from their earlier loss to China, India shifted tactics, launching counterattacks to keep Japan off balance. With just two minutes left in the first quarter, India was awarded a penalty stroke, which Deepika successfully converted, bringing the score to 3-0.
Japan showed greater resolve in the second quarter, threatening to break into the circle several times, but India’s defense remained strong. Japanese goalkeeper Saito Miaki made key saves, denying India a fourth goal in the 22nd minute and thwarting a penalty corner attempt soon after.
Japan earned their first goal on a swift counterattack in the 23rd minute, narrowing the gap. Although they came close to unsettling India towards the end of the second quarter, India still managed to frequently penetrate the Japanese half. The first half concluded with India leading 3-1.
Following Japan’s spirited effort in the second quarter, India adopted a more cautious approach after the break, leading to tests of their defense in the 34th and 42nd minutes. The final quarter proved tense for India, with goalkeeper Nidhi making crucial saves in the 46th minute as Japan sought to mount a comeback.
India will face the winner of the second semi-final matchup between China and South Korea in the championship match. (PTI)