Indian women hold Japan 2-2, lose hockey series 0-3
NEW DELHI: An impressive India held Japan to a 2-2 draw in their final game of the four-match women’s hockey Test series at the Gifu Green Stadium, Kakamigahara on Wednesday.
The 2-2 result, thanks to double strike from Soundarya Yendala, salvaged some pride for the Indians though they lost the series 0-3.
The Indians, who are preparing for the World Cup in Rosario, Argentina, in August-September and the Commonwealth and Asian Games, had lost all their earlier three matches.
The Indians came up with an inspired performance and their defence stood up against repeated Japanese onslaughts, which resulted in 11 penalty corners.
India earned just three penalty corners. Soundarya slammed home in the seventh minute giving India the lead before Japan’s Rika Komazawa restored parity two minutes later.
After a 1-1 stalemate at the breather, Soundarya again gave India a 2-1 lead by finding the target four minutes after resumption (39th minute) via a penalty corner conversion.
After taking the lead, the Indian defence was under severe pressure but stood firm for more than 20 minutes.
The repeated Japanese attacks finally bore fruit with the home side getting the equaliser eight minutes before the final whistle (62nd minute) through a penalty corner conversion by Mie Nakashima.
India have already qualified for the World Cup as the runner-up of Asia Cup while Japan play a qualifier in Kazan, Russia, next month to make the grade in the mega event.
India will now travel to Shanghai to play Asian champions China, who have also qualified for the World Cup, in a three-match Test series commencing next Tuesday.