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India broke the deadlock in the final quarter of the game thanks to Navneet Kaur’s goal from a penalty stroke, before Lalremsiami doubled the lead for the hosts five minutes from time in a hard-fought game.
Asian Champions Trophy 2024: India beat Japan 2-0 to reach final. (X)
The Indian women’s hockey team posted a 1-0 win over their Japanese counterparts in the second semifinal of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at the Rajgir Sports Complex in Bihar on Tuesday to move into the final of the event.
India broke the deadlock in the final quarter of the game thanks to Navneet Kaur’s goal from a penalty stroke, before Lalremsiami doubled the lead for the hosts in a hard-fought game.
The resilient Japanese backline held strong against the holders for over three-quarters of the game as they kept the high-scoring Indian unit out of the net thanks to an inspired showing from Japan’s keeper Yu Kudo.
India had plenty of chances to score from penalty corners as they received a dozen set pieces, which they tried to work in various ways, only to be thwarted by the Japanese keeper and her defensive unit that held solid throughout the game.
The game was a replay of the previous edition’s final, which India managed to win convincingly with a 4-0 triumph to seal the title.
India will take on China in the summit clash after the Chinese women posted a 3-1 win over Malaysia in the first semifinal which was played earlier in the day.
India continued their dominant showing at the tournament with their display on Tuesday as they made it six wins from as many outings in the event in Bihar after clinching five wins to top the group stage.
The women in blue will head into the championship clash brimming with confidence and momentum on their side.