India takes on Japan

S. THYAGARAJAN

India will take on Japan for the bronze medal after losing 2-1 to defending champion China in the final league match of the women’s hockey competition at the Asian Games here on Monday.

China is in line for a hat-trick of golds, and will fight it out with South Korea, which beat Japan 2-0. The final will be played on Wednesday.

Goalkeeper Dipika Murty made some excellent saves, especially off Song Qingling and Zhao Yudiao, to deny the Chinese a big win. The Indian defenders were under relentless pressure from the frequent Chinese forays and De Jianjao managed to break the resistance late in the first half. Xiu Xiaoxu scored the second goal.

India reduced the margin late in the match off a penalty stroke with skipper Surinder Kaur converting without fuss.

Japan, a silver medallist, needed a win to go past its traditional rival, but succumbed to the two second-half goals by Kim Jongsun.