Kakamigahara (Japan), 3 November 2017: India and Japan, pioneers of women’s hockey in the continent, and along the way forged a healthy sporting rivary will engage today in the semifinals of the ninth Women’s Asia Cup. Both teams made it to the semis in contrasting styles: India walloped Kazakhstan 7-1 while the hosts overcame a tough Malaysia 2-0 on Thursday to lock horns today in the battle for who will get to the final.

India has a all win record, while Japan was thrashed by Korea 0-4 in the pool. India will like to do a Korea on Japan, but the host teams are not easy to beat.

Earlier on Thursday, Indian women registered a 7-1 win against Kazakhstan in the quarter finals at the Kakamigahara Kawasaki Stadium.

Dragflicker Gurjit Kaur was in sublime form as she pumped three goals (4′, 42′ and 56′) while Navneet Kaur scored twice (22′ and 27′) and Deep Grace converted two PCs (16′ and 41′). India will face defending Champions Japan in the Semifinal on Friday.

After an early setback when Vera Domashneva scored a field goal in the 2nd minute of the match to give Kazakhstan 1-0 lead, India made a tactical manoeuvre in the circle which won them a PC in the 4th minute.

In-form dragflicker Gurjit Kaur struck the ball past Kazakhstan goalkeeper Guzal Bakhavaddin to equalize.

India were off to a steady start, patiently negotiating their way into the 25-yard mark not making hasty forays but waiting for the right opportunity.

The Rani-led forward line were smart in their attacks as they created PCs to put their opponents under pressure. The plan worked as a PC won in the 16th minute was brilliantly converted through Deep Grace’s well-struck dragflick that gave India a 2-1 lead.

The following minutes saw Navneet Kaur score back-to-back field goals in the 22nd and 27th minute to take India’s lead to a comfortable 4-1 at the end of second quarter.

The ten-minute halftime break saw the team comeback stronger on the pitch as they began the third quarter by winning a PC but this time it was well saved by the Kazakhstan goalkeeper.

However, another PC awarded in the 41st minute was beautifully converted by Deep Grace that took India’s lead to a strong 5-1.

Gurjit Kaur was splendid in her dragflick to convert her second goal through PC in the 42nd minute to ensure India were on the right path to win. The 22-year-old Gurjit Kaur struck yet another PC in the 56th minute as she registered a hat trick of goals and end the match in India’s favour with a 7-1 win.

On November 3, India will take on Japan in the second Semifinal at 15.00 hours IST while China will play Korea in the first Semifinal at 12.45 hours IST.