Resilent Indian women came two goals down to force an exciting 2-2 draw against higher ranked Japan in their opening match at Deodara stadium in Rio today.
The fight between the known foes took known thrills and turns before the both settled for a honourable draw.
Three goals of the match came out of penalty corner drills, Japan posting one of three PCs while India had 50% conversion rate out of its four.
Nishikhori Emi struck off her team’s first penalty corner to put Japan ahead 1-0 at the closing moments of first quarter. At the penalty corner stop spot, Japan played double dummy to flummox goalie Savita Punia before the ball crashed on the boards.
The same goalie came out with sterling show as match progressed and deserved any special award in the end
Wearing famous Jersy No.10 Nakashaki Mie deflected a power packed cross from right flank to enlarge the lead three minutes before half time (2-0).
Nishikhori’s goal came in a quarter dominated by the Indian girls much against run of play, and just 10 seconds left in the clock for the first quarter.
Earlier, Indian girls dominated the first quarter with aggressive approach. Indian girls attacked from both flanks.
However, they missed the easy chances.
Hardworking Rani Ramphal stole the ball in the midfield and parted to Poonam Rani on top of circle, but her forehand was just wide from the right post. Poonam played like a women possessed in the fourth quarter, which helped India garner a point.
Moments later, a combined attack saw Indian forwards overcrowding Japan circle. From close range, Preeti could not connect a looping ball, just sweeping the stick in air.
India was a transformed side in the third quarter where it even out two goal deficit. Speeding Deepika got India its first penalty corner off which Rani Ramphal sent a scoring grounder to the right of goalie to reduce the score 1-2.
Shortly later, Poonam Rani got a overhead, and send a cross into D but Preeti failed to connect. Soon, Poonam was at the rough end of a defender who tripped her near circle edge on the right. Umpire noticed and awarded second penalty corner.
Rani Ramphal tried variation, ball was collected by Sushila Chanu. Her shot was taken in by the goalie, but Lilima Minz tapped in a high ball rebound to neutralize second lead too. However, Japan went for referral on suspicious rising ball, but lost before Indian celebrations continued (2-2). These two goals in two minutes changed the complexion of the game.
Japan, which struck its goals at fag end of quarters, again deployed the same strategy, but
Indian goalie managed to quell at least four genuine goal bearing moves.
Savita was again to frustrate Japan in their third penalty corner try, as Sushila conceded it.
INDIA: Navjot Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Nikki Pradhan, Monika, Anuradha Devi Thokchom, Savita Punia, Vandana Kataria, Poonam Rani, Deepika Thakur, Namita Toppo, Renuka Yadav, Sunita Lakra, Sushila Chanu, Rani Ramphal, Preeti Dubey, Lilima Minz SB: Hnialum Lal Raut Feli, Rajani Etimarpu. Chief Coach: Neil Hawgood, Coach: Helen Mary, Manager: C R Kumar, Physio: Sonika Sudam, Masseur: Poonam Rani, Video: Amudhaprakash, Scientific advisor: Mathew Tredrea Fyles, Analytical Coach: David Bell.
JAPAN: Asano Sakiyo, Hayashi Nagisa, Nakagawa Miyuki, Sakaguchi Maki, Mitsuhashi, Nishmura avaka, Nagai Yun, Nakashima Mie, Shibata Akane, Mano Yukari, Nishikori Emi, Ono Mayumi, Kawamura Motomi, Shimizu Minami, Nagai Bazuki, Yuda Hazuki, Nagai Hazuki, SB: Nomura Kana, Asai Yu, Chief Coach: Nagai Yuji, Manager: Hasebe Kenji, Coach: Keiko Miura, SI Manager: Mari Nakamura.