Paris will stay out of bounds for Indian ladies’s hockey workforce that eschewed its crisp, short-passing sport to bow out of 2024 Olympic qualification race with a 0-1 loss to Japan within the third-place match of FIH Qualifiers on Friday.
Kana Urata’s sixth-minute strike from the penalty nook turned out to be the winner for Japan because the wheels that had been set in movement for the Indian ladies’s workforce, following a momentous fourth-place end on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, appeared to have come off after the completely disappointing present.
The highest three sides from this match certified for the Paris Olympics. By ending third, Japan, booked their berth.
Germany and USA, who will play within the remaining later within the night, are the opposite two sides to have sealed their locations.
Japan had been the early aggressor as they exerted strain on the Indian defence and, within the course of, had the primary scoring likelihood, however an alert Indian skipper Savita in entrance of the aim got here out speeding to kick away the unfastened ball within the second minute.
The Indians performed catch-up as they did not threaten the Japanese aim regardless of making some high quality circle penetrations.
Japan saved up the strain and secured their first penalty nook minutes later however the Indians defended properly.
Two minutes later, India conceded one other smooth penalty nook and this time Urata discovered the again of the online by the legs of Savita with a grounded flick.
The Indian backline was put beneath large strain by the Japanese with some defence-splitting harmful crosses however the hosts someway managed to carry on.
Within the twelfth minute, India had their first actual likelihood. Monika created the chance with a high quality cross from the appropriate flank however Lalremsiami’s deflection went over the bar.
As has been the case on this match, the Indians had been responsible of not utilizing each flanks. It was predictable hockey from the Savita-led facet as they tried to construct most of their assaults from the appropriate flank.
The Indians allowed Japan to regulate the proceedings as they strayed away from their power of attacking sport.
Japan continued from the place they left within the first quarter and secured their third set piece simply after the restart.
The Indians, nevertheless, received some momentum within the second quarter, securing two penalty corners in fast succession.
First, Lalremsiami created the chance with a high quality 3D abilities, however Deepika’s effort was saved by Japan goalkeeper Eika Nakamura.
Seconds later, India earned one other set piece however as soon as once more Deepika did not breach the Japanese defence.
The Indian gamers did not present any intent to win 50-50 balls. Additionally they appeared to have run out of concepts, and largely tried to hit the ball from the 30-yard circle as an alternative of choosing crisp, quick passes, which is their power.
Trailing 0-1, the Indians got here out attacking after the change of ends and made just a few good strikes, however targets eluded them.
Six minute into the third quarter, India secured one other penalty nook however Deepika did not get previous Nakamura in entrance of Japan aim.
Minutes later, Japan managed to get a set piece however the Indians defended properly to remain within the hunt.
Possibilities got here thick and quick for India within the type of penalty corners as they secured back-to-back set items within the forty third minute however Udita Duhan failed to interrupt the Japanese defence together with her slap shot.
Japan had been put beneath large strain by the Indians within the third quarter with repeated forays. The house workforce’s ways labored because it secured one other penalty nook seconds from the ultimate break, however as soon as once more, the dearth of execution did them in.
It was full domination from the Indians after the change of ends however that didn’t translate into targets.
India earned as many as 9 penalty corners in your complete 60 minutes however their perennial drawback of conversion continued.
Within the final 11 minutes of the sport, India secured three penalty corners however Deepika and Udita’s poor report continued.
A minute and a half from the ultimate hooter, an unmarked Salima Tete received the most effective likelihood for India to equalise however, with solely the goalkeeper to beat, she shot broad.
