India loses the semifinal to Japan 3-4

Indian eves went down fighting 3-4 to Japan in the semifinal of the Girls U-18 Asia Cup at Bangkok this evening.

Japan will play China who upset favourites Korea with the golden goal 3-2 victory in the first semi final.

The goal scorers for India were Navjot Kaur (2nd min), Anupa Barla (52nd) and Jaspreet Kaur (70th min penalty corner) while Japan were on target with strikes from Minami Shimuzu (19th), Satokei (31st), Aimi Ozeki (48th) and Yukina Maeda (61st min).

The match was played in intermittent rain with both teams being cautious in the first quarter even though India broke into the lead in the 2nd minute through Navjot Kaur who was set up by Nikki Pradhan.

Japan steadily clawed back when they equalised in the 19th minute and went 2-1 ahead four minutes before half time.

They increased their lead when Ozeki slotted past India goalkeeper Bigan Soy in the 48th minute.

A good combined attack from India forwards Poonam Rani and Anupa Barla enabled the latter to reduce the margin three minutes later.

India accelerated their onslaughts thereafter but Japan rallied with a turnover in the in the 61st minute to establish a 4-2 lead.

India who were awarded four penalty corners as against none to their opponents finally got one into goal with a set piece by Jaspreet Kaur at the stroke of full time.

India will now play Korea for the bronze medal on Sunday.