India to take on Japan in Asian Champions Trophy SF after defeating Japanese girls 3-0 in last match of league phase
The Indians came into their own in the second half to defeat Japan 3-0 in the last match of the league phase of the Asian Champions Trophy on Sunday (November 17).
After dominating the proceedings in a barren first half, Navneet Kaur broke the deadlock with a lethal reverse after half-time. Deepika added to India's tally with two penalty corner goals to seal the deal for the home side. Both teams had been assured of semifinal places ahead of the match.
The Indians, who finished on top of the Asian Champions Trophy points table, will take on fourth-placed Japan in Tuesday's semifinal.
Harendra Singh's chargers began with a flurry of attacks that kept the Japanese defense busy before Deepika manufactured a penalty corner in the seventh minute. A Japanese foot in the circle resulted in a follow-up short corner but goalkeeper Yu Kudo pulled off an incredible save to deny Deepika.
Neha Goyal helped the Indians earn a penalty corner, their third, in the 12th minute but an untidy stop led to a wasted opportunity for the hosts.
A rare foray led by Saki Tanaka who penetrated the Indian circle in the 21st minute failed to yield results for Japan who chose to defend in numbers for most of the opening half.
Despite Sushila Chanu's inability to stop the ball cleanly off India's fourth penalty corner in the 24th minute, the hosts managed four shots on goal via rebounds in the circle but a determined Yu Kudo stood tall under the bar.
A Lalremsiami-inspired move led to Deepika taking a shot on goal off a Salima Tete cross immediately after half-time but Yu Kudo had no problems dealing with the feeble attempt.
Navneet Kaur took it upon herself to break the deadlock by advancing into the striking circle and unleashing a tomahawk from the edge of the circle in the 36th minute. Kudo, who had the near post covered, could scarcely move with the ball, making its way into the back of the net via the far post.
Deepika beat Yu Kudo with a powerful low drag-flick after the Indians won three back-to-back penalty corners in the 47th minute. Deepika scored her 10th goal of the tournament immediately after with a lofted effort off a penalty corner to give India a three-goal lead.
The Indians, who won all their matches in the league phase, earned the right to take on Japan in the semifinal. China will take on Malaysia in the other semifinal.
3-time Asian Champions Trophy winners Korea fail to qualify for SF
South Korea, the most successful team in the history of the Asian Champions Trophy, failed to qualify for the semifinals of the eighth edition of the tournament in Bihar even as Malaysia made their way into the knockouts.
Malaysia beat Thailand 2-0 to keep their semifinal hopes alive but needed China to win their last pool game against Korea. Three-time champions Korea, who needed at least a draw to stay in contention for the semifinals, lost 0-2 to China, enabling Malaysia to progress to the knockout round.
The semifinals of the Asian Champions Trophy will be played on November 19.