New Delhi, 22 February 2013: Indian Women’s Hockey team came from 0-2 to down at half time to level the score 2-2 by scoring 2 goals after 60th minute of the game, but failed to capitalize on spirited come back in extra time and lost to Japan 3-2 in the penalty shootout in the Hero Women’s Hockey World League Round 2, Delhi 2013 at Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium today.
Japan Women’s Hockey Team celebrating a goal against India during Hockey World League 2 New Delhi
With this defeat on penalties, India earned a point while Japan was rewarded with 2 points to equalize with India with 10 points in league standings.
World number nine side Japan dominated the first half of the match and scored two goals to take the lead. Japan scored both the goals on penalty corners through Shiho Sakai and Akiko Ota 4th min and 31st min respectively.
India came back strongly in the second half and but could score only in last ten minutes of the game. Soundarya Yendala pulled one back in 62nd minute on penalty and three minutes later Anupa Barla scored equaliser after Rani Rampal did hard work of getting ball into the D to take the match in penalty shoot-out.
Though both the teams tried to break deadlock in last five minute, Japanese had upper hand and missed a few close chances.
In the shootout, Japan beat India 3-2 and collected three points. Mazuki Arai, Yuri Nagai and skipper Rika Komazawa scored goals quite easily for Japan whereas Soundarya Yendala and Rani Rampal scored for India. Chanchan Devi Thokchom, captain Ritu Rani and Vandana Katariya failed to edge past Japanese goalie Ryoko Oie and missed their chances.
Aki Mitsuhashi of Japan was adjudged as the Hero Player of the Match.
Matches lined up for tomorrow (full schedule):
Men Match # 10 Bangladesh vs Fiji – 16:00
Men Match # 11 Oman vs Ireland – 18:00
Men Match # 12 China vs India – 20:00
