Indian women lose again, to play for 7th place

Johannesburg, July 20

Japan blanked India 2-0 in a 5-8 placing match of the Women’s Hockey World League Semifinal here today. 

India will play for the seventh place against Ireland, who were beaten 3-0 by hosts South Africa, on Saturday.

India made a quick start with Monika getting a shot on goal in the opening minute. But Japan’s goalkeeper Megumi Kageyama made a good save.

In the following minutes, Japan’s attackers broke the Indian defence.

The aggressive approach resulted in Japan winning their first penalty corner in the seventh minute, which was converted by Kana Nomura.

Japan won two more penalty corners in the eighth and 10th minutes but Monika and Savita came up with good saves.

In the second quarter, Akiko Kato showed excellent dribbling skills to take the ball into the circle and get a shot on goal but goalkeeper Savita made an exceptional save.

Savita saved another shot on goal, from Yuri Nagai after she cut inside to beat defender Gurjit Kaur.

However, India couldn’t deny Japan for long. Naho Ichitani scored in the 29th minute after Japan came up with a brilliant penalty corner variation to trick the Indian defenders.

In the first minute of the third quarter, Japan won another penalty corner but Namita Toppo did well as the first runner to block away the attempt.

Soon after, Rani saw her shot go just wide after a counterattack. In the 34th minute, Savita produced yet another great save to deny Ichitani.

The final 15 minutes saw India create a few good chances but failed to convert any of them. — PTI