Navneet’s Brace Hands India won 3-1 over Japan, finishing 9th at the Women’s Hockey World Cup

Navneet Kaur scored a brace as the Indian women’s hockey team beat Japan 3-1 to a disappointing ninth finish at the FIH World Cup in Terassa, Spain, on Wednesday. Navneet (30 minutes, 45) scored twice, while Deep Grace Ekka (38) scored once from a set piece in the qualifying match. Japan’s only goal came from Yu Asai’s stick in the 20th minute. The game was tight for the first 5 minutes of the opening half, but both teams failed to score.

India soon had a chance to take the lead but Vandana Katariya’s effort from close range was blocked by Japanese goalkeeper Eika Nakamura.

Both teams fought hard for the rest of the first quarter but to no avail.

India started well in the second half and had a few chances in the space of two minutes but the goals overpowered Savita’s lead.

Japan took the lead in the 20th minute thanks to Yu Asai, who took the corner.

India soon earned the first corner but squandered the opportunity.

They enhanced the game in the final minutes of the second half with relentless attacks but Japan defended resiliently.

India equalized in injury time when Navneet found the equalizer from an effort on the field.

India started with the front foot after the substitution ended and earned the sixth corner of the game, but, as was the case for the whole tournament, they squandered the opportunity again.

Lalremsiami was threatening from the left but the Japanese defenders did an excellent job.

However, India were awarded another corner and this time Ekka scored to give his side the lead eight minutes into the second half.

The Indian players surged forward after an attack on the Japanese goal and in one Vandana approached tantalizingly but her effort was blocked by Japan’s keeper Nakamura.

The game is mostly besieged in the Japanese inning after the change of the end as India attacks in relentless numbers.

India came close to taking a two-goal lead in the third half but Sharmila Devi’s goal was disallowed due to the ball touching her body.

The third half was entirely up to India as they sped up their game to make it difficult for the Japanese defence, leading to Navneet’s second goal late in the game.

Promote

India continued in the same situation in the 4th half and eventually with Vandana being rejected by the Japanese keeper again.

Japan tried very hard in the last minutes but could not break through the determined defense of India.