India rode on vice-captain Poonam Rani’s golden goal to defeat Japan 2-1 and storm into the final of the sixth Junior women’s Asia Cup hockey championship here on Thursday.
After both the sides were locked 1-1 at fulltime, Rani scored a brilliant goal nine minutes into extra time as India secured their maiden final berth of the continental championship.
In the title clash, the Indian eves will lock horns with China, who edged past Korea 3-2 in the other semifinal.
In the tightly-contested final it was Japan who had their noses in front first when Yuri Nagai put them ahead five minutes before halftime. However, India fought back well in the second half, slamming home the equaliser through a fine penlaty corner from Vandana Katariya in the 29th minutes.
India continued to push the Japanese hard with fine attacking play but failed to find a winner until the end of regulation time. They, however, didn’t allow the disappointment to get the better of them as Rani turned it around in superb fashion.
The win also guaranteed India an entry in the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup to be held next year.