Fighting India conceded a late goal and went down to Japan in the quarterfinal of the FIH Women’s Champions Challenge I in Dublin.
The halftime score remained goaless. It was a very much controlled game, with occasional foray into the circle. India had a lone penalty corner while their rivals got a couple more. However, as the match seemed to meander to extra time, Japan forced a field manoevure and scored a field goal in the 65th min.
In general, the Japanese girls had better of exchanges though India played a neat and clean hockey. While Japan made it to the Semifinal along with Spain, which surprised top ranked South Africa in the first QF earlier; India will now play for minor placings.
The two QF losers India and Africa will now play for the minor placings.
In an otherwise evenly going proceedings, the deciding goal came with five minutes left in regulation when Keiko Manabe threaded a perfect pass from midfield to Ai Murakami who made a diving effort to deflect the ball into the goal.