New Delhi: His wards have been in management by way of their marketing campaign, however India ladies’s hockey crew chief coach Harendra Singh had cautioned the gamers that Tuesday’s Asian Champions Trophy semi-final in opposition to Japan received’t be a cakewalk, regardless of the 3-0 win over the identical opponents on Sunday.
India’s Sunelita Toppo, centre, throughout the Girls’s Asian Champions Trophy semi-final in opposition to Japan on Tuesday. (PTI)
The hosts got here by way of alright, beating Japan 2-0 to arrange a last in opposition to China, however the coach proved proper. Japan had proven indicators of resistance, holding India at bay till after halftime within the spherical robin section, and ensured it could be no romp for the aspect that had received all 5 spherical robin video games within the event being performed at Rajgir, Bihar.
India have been met by a resolute defence and an much more decided Japan goalkeeper Yu Kudo, who thwarted all Indian makes an attempt for 48 minutes earlier than Navneet Kaur (forty eighth) lastly gave the lead, changing a penalty stroke. That objective modified the momentum of the match as Lalremsiami (56th) doubled the lead after a superb build-up by Sunelita Toppo to take the defending champions into the summit conflict.
India performed as they did within the earlier matches, making use of full press and mounting assault after assault. They penetrated the Japanese hanging circle 23 instances (17 instances greater than Japan), had seven pictures on objective (to none of Japan) and had 13 penalty corners – all of which have been blocked by Kudo, who was named Participant-of-the-Match, and the Japanese defenders in a stable present.
India maintained management, always profitable the ball excessive up on the pitch and gunning for the objective however have been unable to attain. Their fluid build-up play led to a number of PC alternatives, particularly within the second quarter, however all of Deepika’s flicks, Navneet’s and Udita Duhan’s hits have been swatted away by Kudo.
The onslaught continued as Lalremsiami launched into a run down the left baseline because the quarter started, leaving the Japanese defence scrambling, however there was nobody to complete the transfer. India’s aggressive play ensured fast turnovers, incomes them extra PCs. Nevertheless, Kudo was in high type and saved Deepika’s low drag flick.
However, Japan discovered it troublesome to penetrate the Indian defence and couldn’t handle any circle entries or check goalkeepers Savita Punia and Bichu Devi Kharibam, who took turns each quarter.
Six minutes from half-time, India earned one other PC. This time, Deepika aimed excessive, however Kudo made one other spectacular save. Regardless of India’s relentless efforts, they have been lacking the completion and the primary half ended goalless.
India slowed down the tempo to create a transparent goalscoring likelihood within the third quarter. Nevertheless, Japan remained stable in defence, keen to throw themselves round to cease assaults, forcing India to try to rating by way of PCs.
With 4 minutes left within the quarter, Deepika intercepted the ball excessive up the pitch and unleashed a strong shot however it sailed over the publish. Regardless of incomes a number of PCs, India couldn’t discover the breakthrough as Kudo remained a pillar within the objective, leaving India seeking to the sky for solutions.
However three minutes into the ultimate quarter, Deepika – event top-scorer with 10 targets – was fouled within the circle and India have been awarded a stroke. Navneet stepped as much as lastly beat Kudo and break the impasse.
India upped the tempo with the gang having discovered their voice as soon as once more after the objective. With lower than 5 minutes left, Sunelita raced previous two defenders on the correct wing and in the reduction of to Lalremsiami, who whacked the ball into objective, doubling India’s lead.
Japan have been awarded a PC with lower than two minutes within the recreation however Bichu was alert in objective to swat the ball away and ebook India’s ticket to the ultimate the place they’ll play Olympic silver medallists China, who beat Malaysia 3-1 within the different semi-final.