Third defeat for women's
hockey team
The Indian women's hockey team suffered its third consecutive defeat, when it lost 2-3 to Japan and finished winless in the four-team league at the Asian Games in Busan on Wednesday.
Despite the defeat, India will play Japan again on Friday for the bronze medal.
In an earlier match, China defeated South Korea 2-0 which
left Japan requiring to beat India by at least a two-goal
margin to move into the final on a better goal difference.
But with Japan unable to do so, China and South Korea
will meet in the final on Friday.
India, who won the gold medal in the Commonwealth Games
in Manchester, once again failed to capitalise on the chances
that came their way.
They showed a rare aggression after conceding a goal in
the 19th minute, when Japanese skipper Keiko Miura scored from a penalty-corner, but squandered several opportunities.
After being denied any space inside the Japanese circle
for next 40 minutes, India equalised through a penalty-corner
conversion by Suman Bala.
But Japan took lead again five minutes later through a
brilliant field goal by Akemi Kato in the 63rd minute as the
Indians failed to maintain the pressure.
India found the equaliser soon, when Jyoti Kullu, after
getting a pass from Sumani Tete from outside the circle,
slammed the ball past the Japanese goalkeeper.
However, India's joy was shortlived as Japan, taking
advantage of a defensive lapse, scored the winner a
minute before the hooter.
Miura, who returned to the field after receiving treatment for an injury on her head in the first half, scored the winner off a penalty-corner.
After the match, Indian team coach Gurdial Singh Bhangu
expressed disappointment over the results and blamed poor
finishing for the defeat.
"Twice we were looking at victory but the forward line
did not work at all today. They also lacked finish whenever
there were chances.
"We missed plenty of scoring chances in a match where our
opposition played well."
Earlier, goals from striker Zhou Wan-feng and captain
Chen Zhao Xia helped Champions Trophy winners China beat defending champions South Korea 2-0.
