It was mainly the two defenders – Yu Asai and Shikori Oikawa – who stood between India and their effort to enter the scoreboard in the crucial second match of the Pool A at Qaboos Sports Complex, Muscat.
The crucial Asia Cup Pool A match between the two star-studded team went in favour of the newest Asian Champions Trophy winners Japan. Its a reward for Japan whose defence withstood all the pressure the higher ranked Indians exerted in the second half.
When one of these two bullwarks were to be replaced, came Kana Urata who also excelled at warding off numerous Indian attack much like their illustrious colleagues. The threesome, aided with a strong midfield, handed out tournament favourite India a 0-2 defeat.
Japan made use of a slip in the defence scoring its first goal within 70 seconds from the start. India waged a grim battle to equalize but met with the Yu Asai and Shikori Oikawa wall. Despite early set back, India managed to put the Japanese in backfoot but their forays into the circle did not result in any goal.
In the beginning Mariana Kujur let go two gilt edged attacks with poor trap inside the circle. The fate of the match was almost decided when Gurjit Kaur missed both penalty corners in the first quarter. When India got six more, she and Deep Grace Ekka shared the attempts but with same results.
Hardworking Vandana got a chance to equalize when the generated a move on the edge of circle but her reverse flew very high from the target.
Japan captain Yuri Nagai’s gentle tape in the 70th second stood unblemised till 40 more seconds. The match turned away from India when Saki Tanaka sent the ball in a turn over.
India was all over the Japanese territory after conceding the Tanaka goal, but crowded defence and extraordinary dives and reflexes of lanky goalie Eika did not allow any elbow room for India.
Monika, Vandana, Lalremsiami, Jyoti, Naveneet and Navjot had their share of attacks but their shots lacked the punch.
The clear victory put the Japanese on the top of Pool A. With an easy match left with – against Malaysia – Japan is expected to continue the position and will engage in all probabilities the Chines, who lost to Korea tamely yesterday.
Expectedly, Yu Asai won the Best player award.