Navneet Kaur scored a brace as the Indian women’s hockey team defeated Japan 3-1 to finish a disappointing ninth in the FIH World Cup in Terassa, Spain on Wednesday. Navneet (30th, 45th minute) scored two field goals, while Deep Grace Ekka (38th) sounded the board once from a fixed stretch in the standings match. Japan’s only goal came from Yu Asai’s sticks in the 20th minute. It was an exciting battle in the first five minutes of the first quarter, but neither team was able to score.
Soon, India had a huge opportunity to take the lead, but an attempt by Vandana Katariya from close range was saved by Japanese goalkeeper Eika Nakamura.
Both teams fought hard for the rest of the first quarter, but to no avail.
India got off to a good start in the second quarter, creating a few chances in the space of two minutes, but goals eluded the Savita-led side.
Japan took the lead in the 20th minute via Yu Asai who converted a penalty corner.
India soon earned their first penalty corner, but lost the opportunity.
They improved their game in the closing minutes of the second quarter with relentless attacks, but Japan defended vigorously.
India tied the score just before half-time when Navneet found the backboard after a fielding effort.
India started off to the fore after the change of ends, earning their sixth penalty corner of the game, but as was the case throughout the tournament, they again missed the opportunity.
Lalremsiami threatened from the left flank, but the Japanese defenders were up to the task.
However, India won another penalty corner and this time Ekka scored to give her the lead eight minutes into the second half.
The Indians built attack after attack on the Japanese goal and once Vandana came tantalizingly close, but her effort was saved by the Japanese goalkeeper Nakamura.
The game was largely surrounded in the Japanese half after the half change as India attacked relentlessly.
India came close to a two-goal lead in the third quarter, but Sharmila Devi’s goal was disallowed when the ball hit her body.
The third quarter was completely in the hands of India as they stepped up their game by leaps and bounds to trouble the Japanese defense resulting in Navneet’s second goal towards the end.
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India continued in the same vein in the fourth and final quarter, with Vandana again being denied by the Japanese goalkeeper.
Japan tried hard in the final minutes but failed to break through the determined Indian defences.
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