Junior Women’s hockey Asia Cup: India beat Japan, to face China in final

Defending champions India asserted their dominance with a 3-1 victory over Japan to secure a place in the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament here on Saturday.

Mumtaz Khan (4th minute), Sakshi Rana (5th) and Deepika (13th) were on target for India, while Niko Maruyama scored a consolation goal for Japan in the 23rd minute.

It was one-way traffic for the Jyoti Singh-led India in the opening quarter after Sunelita Toppo foiled Japan’s drag-flick opportunity by making a quick run to intercept a threatening ball in the second minute of play.

India took the lead two minutes later by capitalising on a defensive error. A move from the right flank saw the Japanese defenders and goalkeeper advance to intercept the forwards, but the ball was quickly relayed to an unmarked Mumtaz, who deftly pushed it into an empty goal. A minute later Sakshi was on target, scoring another field goal.

India’s relentless attacks saw the midfield stitch another splendid move in the seventh minute but the forwards fumbled inside the circle.

India seemed to have learnt a lesson from their loss to China in a group game as they shifted gears quickly to launch counterattacks and catch the opponents off-guard.

With two minutes remaining in the first quarter, India earned a penalty stroke, which Deepika converted to make it 3-0.

In the title showdown, India will take on China, who defeated South Korea 4-1 in the other semifinal.