Kakamigahara, September 25, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India’s women’s hockey team secured a place in the semifinals of the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan in their fourth Pool B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Friday.
Lalremsiami, Ishika and Navneet Kaur were on target for India, while Shiho Kobayakawa scored Japan’s lone goal. The victory also extended India’s unbeaten run in the tournament.
India started aggressively, putting Japan under pressure with a full-court press. Neha saw an early reverse-hit attempt go wide, while Navneet also came close but sent her effort into the side netting.
The breakthrough arrived in the fifth minute. Navneet’s initial attempt was slowed by a Japanese stick inside the circle, allowing Lalremsiami to collect the ball and beat goalkeeper Yu Kudo to put India ahead.
Japan responded with a counter-attack after India earned another penalty corner, but goalkeeper Bichu Devi made a crucial save to preserve the lead.
India continued to dominate possession and earned another penalty corner late in the opening quarter, but an inaccurate stop prevented them from creating a clear scoring opportunity.
The Indian side maintained its control in the second quarter, with Japan searching for an equaliser. India eventually doubled the advantage in the final minute of the quarter when Ishika found the net after Navneet’s penalty-corner attempt was saved.
India continued to press after the break and extended their lead in the 36th minute. Navneet produced a superb scoop that sailed over the Japanese goalkeeper and into the net to make it 3-0.
Japan managed to reduce the deficit in the final quarter when Kobayakawa found space to Savita Punia’s left and scored with a tomahawk strike.
India, however, remained composed in the closing stages and saw out the contest to secure a 3-1 victory and a place in the last four.
India will conclude their Pool B campaign against Singapore on Sunday.
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