India stormed into the semi-finals of the seventh women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament after holding Malaysia to a 1-1 draw in their last Group A match here on Wednesday.
Binita Toppo scored the equaliser in the 27th minute after Juliani Mohamad Din surprised India as early as in the fourth minute. With two wins and as many draws, India finished second in their group and will take on formidable South Korea — Group B toppers — in a clash for a final spot. China topped Group A and will face Japan in the last four stage. Earlier, undefeated Korea thrashed hapless Chinese Taipei 15-0 to register their fourth successive win.
India would be disappointed as a win would have put them on top of the group and ensured a relatively easy semi-final against an off-colour Japan. Undefeated so far in the tournament, India made a mess of their last group match despite dominating. India were clueless against a crowded Malaysian defence and were unable to get past Malaysian goalkeeper Farah Ayuni Yahya’s.
Missed chances
India earned four penalty corners in either half while their rivals managed just one, which they converted to put India on the backfoot. Stung by the early reversal, India went into all out attack, levelling scores in the 27th minute when Binita found the net after Deepika Thakur did the spade work from India’s fourth penalty corner.
The Indians strikers were off-colour and Jasjeet Kaur and substitute Mukta Barla missed a couple of sitters in the second half, including a golden chance in the 64th minute, when Barla had an open goal but shot wide from arm’s length.