Indian women’s hockey team out of Olympic race after losing to Japan

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Ranchi. The Indian women’s hockey team attacked vigorously, exerted all the pressure and earned several penalty corners but could not score the only important thing as Japan survived several crucial moments to emerge 1-0 winners in the women’s FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifier on Friday. Got the ticket for this year’s Paris Olympic Games. Bearing all the pressure, the Japanese foiled every effort of the Indians and finished third on Friday at the Jaipal Singh Astro-Turf Hockey Stadium in Marang Gomke. This is not India’s day. Because despite trying their best they ended up on the wrong end of the results and failed to make it to their third consecutive Olympic Games. India had finished fourth at the Tokyo Olympic Games, but were disappointed by finishing fourth in the qualifiers. India dominated possession, made 13 circle entries compared to the Japanese’s eight, had 11 shots on goal and had four of their opponents’ earned nine penalty corners in comparison, but in the end, Kana Urata’s penalty corner in the sixth minute proved to be the match-winning goal which was enough for Japan to win the match and book the Olympic ticket. India entered the circle in the first few minutes Did it but could not succeed in scoring the goal. In the end, Japan got the first penalty corner of the match but the shot was considered dangerous. Neha and Sangeeta made good runs and passed to beauty Dung Dung near the backline but she could not escape the defender. Fouled by Miyu Hasegawa inside the circle. It was done and Japan earned its second PC. In the sixth minute, Kana Urata stepped up and flicked it between Savita’s legs to give Japan the lead. The Indians made some good attacks when Deepika set up Baljeet with an overhead pass just outside the circle on the right flank. Sonika then sent a ball inside the circle and although Deepika attempted a deflection, the ball went just over the crossbar. At the other end, Japan came close to doubling the lead with two good chances when Kana Urata Ki’s pass was deflected by a defender and Miyu Hasegawa sent the ball across the goalmouth as the Indian defense took a nap. It was an open game with Japan failing to defend their lead rather than regularly attacking. Was doing. The first quarter ended with Japan leading 1-0. Immediately after the restart, Japan got a penalty corner but the ball was not stopped properly and the Indian defenders cleared the ball. India got its first penalty corner in the second quarter. Got it in the third minute when Baljeet was fouled near the goalline. But Deepika’s flick was saved by goalkeeper Hazuki Nagai. A minute later, India got another penalty corner but this time Deepika’s flick was deflected by the goalkeeper. Salima Tete’s hit in the circle was deflected across the goalmouth by Vaishnavi Phalke. Both teams went into half-time with Japan still leading 1-0. After a few attacks by both sides at the start of the third quarter, India were awarded their third penalty corner due to a foul on Salima. Goalkeeper Nakamura deflected Deepika’s flick onto the crossbar. In the eighth minute of the third quarter, Japan got its fourth penalty corner but Ishika deflected Urata’s flick. Japan cited a foul but the decision was in India’s favor. India got the fourth penalty corner but Udita’s slap shot was stopped. A few circle entries proved futile as the defenders did not allow the Indian attackers a look at goal. India got their fifth penalty corner, but the ball could not be stopped cleanly and some strong defending from the Japanese kept the indirect attempt at bay. As the clock was ticking to end the third quarter, Japan made a referral after the umpire awarded a penalty corner to India at the restart and the decision went in their favour. India got their fifth penalty corner but goalkeeper Tanaka saved Deepika’s drag flick. With just eight minutes left in the match, India came close again when Lalremsiami could not hold on to the ball but was dangerously cleared by a defender. The host team got another penalty corner but Deepika’s shot went in vain. Sangeeta took a shot on the rebound but it was stopped by goalkeeper Akio Tanaka. India tried a penalty corner for dangerous play and India got the eighth penalty corner. But it was not a clean trap and the indirect conversion was saved by the goalkeeper. There was a good battle between the two Japanese goalkeepers but Tanaka was exceptionally good in the fourth quarter and made four good saves. The Indians made one attack after another but in the end In, as the clock ticked down, they crashed into the Japanese wall and the Japanese players cheered as they won the match 1-0.–IANS

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