Hangzhou, China: The Indian women’s hockey team showcased their fighting spirit, securing a hard-fought 2-2 draw against defending champions Japan in their second Pool B match of the Women’s Asia Cup on Saturday. The match was a tense affair, with both teams trading blows until the final second.
India, ranked 10th in the world, started strongly, but it was Japan (world No. 12) who drew first blood through Hiroka Murayama in the 10th minute. The Japanese defense held firm, keeping India at bay for the remainder of the first quarter. However, India’s persistence paid off just before halftime when Rutuja Dadaso Pisal scored the equalizer in the 30th minute, bringing the score to 1-1 at the break.
The second half was a tactical battle, with both teams cautious not to lose momentum. The disciplined Japanese defense continued to frustrate the Indian attack until the final moments of the game. With just two minutes remaining on the clock, Japan were awarded a penalty stroke, and Chiko Fujibayashi successfully converted it to put her team ahead 2-1.
However, the drama was far from over. India, refusing to give up, earned a penalty corner in the dying seconds of the match. With the final hooter looming, Navneet Kaur stepped up and found the back of the net, snatching a dramatic 2-2 draw for her team.
This result follows India’s dominant 11-0 victory over Thailand in their opening match. The team remains unbeaten and is on track to advance to the Super 4s stage. India will play their final Pool B match against Singapore on Monday, September 8 at 12:00 PM IST.
The top two teams from each of the two pools will qualify for the Super 4s stage, where they will compete in a round-robin format. The top two teams from the Super 4s will then face off in the final on September 14. The winner of the Women’s Asia Cup will secure a coveted direct berth for the 2026 Women’s World Cup, which will be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
Match Summary & Player Highlights:
Final Score:
- India: 2
- Japan: 2
Goal Scorers:
- Japan: Hiroka Murayama (10′), Chiko Fujibayashi (58′)
- India: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (30′), Navneet Kaur (60′)