Rajgir, Bihar, Nov 17: India charged into the semifinals of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy with an impressive 3-0 win over Japan, maintaining their unbeaten streak. The defending champions showcased dominance as star striker Deepika dazzled in the final quarter, securing a quick brace through penalty corners. This followed vice-captain Navneet Kaur’s decisive opener in the 37th minute.
India’s victory saw them top the league stage with a perfect 15 points from five matches, surpassing Olympic silver medallists China, who finished with 12 points. India sets their sights on a rematch with fourth-placed Japan in Tuesday’s semifinal, while China faces third-positioned Malaysia in another semifinal clash.
Deepika, leading the tournament’s scoring charts, now boasts an impressive 10 goals—four from field plays, five via penalty corners, and one penalty stroke—underscoring her formidable presence on the field. Methven Star flicked deep in her tried and tested low dragflick, finally outmaneuvering the Japanese defense backed by goalkeeper Yu Kudo, who had thwarted earlier attempts beautifully.
Throughout the game, India’s relentless attack pressured Japan, as Kudo repeatedly came to her team’s rescue in the first half, making several crucial saves including a triple block in the 25th minute. However, her efforts could not fend off the Indian onslaught in the latter stages.
Turning the tide, the breakthrough came when Navneet’s precise reverse hit bypassed Japan’s defenses, followed by Deepika’s back-to-back penalty corner goals in the 47th and 48th minutes. India’s defense, led by Udita and Sushila Chanu, showcased exceptional resilience, preventing any Japanese attempts on goal, while stellar midfield performances from Salima Tete, Neha, and Sharmila Devi kept the pressure on with agile runs and skillful dribbling.
A day of victories also saw Malaysia triumph over Thailand 2-0, and China securing a similar 2-0 victory against South Korea, setting the stage for an exciting semifinal lineup.
Original Story https://theshillongtimes.com/2024/11/18/india-cruise-to-semifinals-with-3-0-win-over-japan/
Category : SPORTS
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Publish Date: 2024-11-18 03:43:00
