– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
The Indian women’s hockey team continued its unbeaten run at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026, defeating hosts Japan 3-1 in their Pool B encounter at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium in Kakamigahara on Friday.
The victory was India’s fourth consecutive win in as many matches and confirmed their place in the semi-finals with one pool game against Singapore still remaining.
India had begun their campaign with a resounding 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan before recording another emphatic 17-1 win against Indonesia and a 20-1 triumph over Thailand. Against Japan, Lalremsiami, Ishika and Navneet Kaur scored to secure another important victory for Salima Tete’s side.
India began the match on the front foot, putting Japan under immediate pressure with an aggressive full-press. Neha had the first opportunity in the opening minute, but her reverse hit went wide. Soon after, Navneet found space on the right flank, only for her attempt to find the side-netting.
The pressure eventually paid off in the fifth minute. Navneet’s initial effort was slowed by a Japanese stick inside the circle, allowing Lalremsiami to collect the ball and calmly slot it past goalkeeper Yu Kudo to give India the lead.
India earned another penalty corner in the seventh minute, but Navneet’s attempt was blocked. Japan responded with a quick counter-attack, but goalkeeper Bichu Devi produced an excellent save with her outstretched leg. Japan earned a penalty corner from the rebound, although Maho Ueno’s flick went wide.
India continued to dominate possession and earned another penalty corner in the 13th minute after Navneet’s shot was saved by Kudo. However, a poor stop denied India another opportunity as they took a 1-0 lead into the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern, with India controlling possession and Japan relying largely on counter-attacks. India’s compact midfield and organised defence restricted the hosts from building sustained pressure.
India doubled their lead in the 30th minute. Navneet’s direct penalty-corner attempt was saved, but the rebound fell kindly to Ishika, who made no mistake from close range to make it 2-0 at half-time.
India continued their dominance after the break and extended their advantage in the 36th minute. Navneet received the ball inside the circle, moved to her right and produced a superb scoop over Kudo to make it 3-0.
Japan struggled to cope with India’s attacking pressure, with Ishika and Rutuja coming close to adding another goal. Captain Salima Tete also created an opportunity for Navneet late in the quarter, but Kudo made a timely save.
Japan finally found a breakthrough early in the fourth quarter. Shiho Kobayakawa found the gap to Savita Punia’s left with a powerful tomahawk, reducing the deficit to 3-1 and giving the home crowd something to cheer about.
India, however, remained composed and continued to create chances. Navneet came close from another penalty corner in the 50th minute, while a promising move involving Baljeet and Lalremsiami two minutes later ended with the latter’s effort deflecting over the crossbar.
Japan threatened again after an error by Sushila led to a turnover, but goalkeeper Savita Punia reacted quickly to keep out the resulting effort. Japan earned a penalty corner from the play, but India defended the set-piece effectively.
Deepika then came close to adding a fourth goal on the counter-attack, although her reverse-hit lacked the power to trouble the Japanese goal.
The final hooter confirmed a 3-1 victory for India, securing their place in the semi-finals of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026.
India will conclude their Pool B campaign against Singapore on September 27.
