Hero Hockey World League: Japan pip India 5-4 (3-2) in penalty shootout

Japan snapped the Indian eves’ winning run with a thrilling 5-4 win in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium in Delhi on Friday.

Japan pipped India 3-2 in the penalty shootout after India struck two late second-half goals to ensure a 2-2 draw in regulation time. For India, Rani Rampal and Yendala Soundarya sounded the board, while captain Ritu Rani, Chanchan Devi and Vandana Katariya missed the target.

Japan have earned two points from this match, while India earned one point.

The Indian women were at the receiving end from the starting hooter, as Japan were all over the hosts’ defence. Japan forced their first penalty corner in the fourth minute when Yuri Nagai was obstructed inside the Indian striking circle. Shiho Sakai whipped home, beating Indian goalkeeper Yogita Bali all ends up.

The early goal put the Indians under severe pressure, as they struggled to get the ball out of their own half. Japan could have forged further ahead in the 11th when experienced Miyuki Nakagawa’s tumbling attempt was foiled by Yogita Bali. Nakagawa had another opportunity to double Japan’s lead, but once again, Yogita thwarted her attempt with a brilliant save.

Japan maintained possession even as Indian were guilty of poor passing and sloppy trapping. In fact, the sustained Japanese pressure got to them, as they ran out of ideas upfront.

Aki Mitsuhashi essayed a magnificent run down the right flank as she dodged past a few Indian defenders before she was nastily tackled by fullback Jaspreet Kaur. Jaspreet Kaur was green-carded, and a penalty corner was also conceded. Although the foul was committed outside the Indian striking circle, the severity of the foul prompted the umpire to award a penalty corner.

Aki Oto made it 2-0 for Japan in the 32nd minute after she came up with a clinical finish off a rebound.

Down 0-2, Indian captain Ritu Rani tried to bring her side into the contest, playing a more active role in creating spaces for their forwards.

Striker Rani Rampal was unfairly challenged inside the Japanese ‘D’, which resulted in the first penalty corner for India. Jaspreet Kaur’s attempt led to a follow-on PC, which was bungled by India.

The hosts earned third short corner in the final minute of play which once again resulted in another follow-on PC, but time Jaspreet’s attempt led to a goalmouth melee and created a chance off a rebound for Yendala Soundarya. However, she played it wide as India went into half-time down 0-2.

Japan looked in control of the match, holding onto their 2-0 lead midway through the second half. Rani Rampal, who had quiet first half, came into her own then, dribbling past two Japanese before her effort was nullified by goalkeeper Oie Ryoko in the 23rd minute of play.

Japan threatened the Indian citadel in the next minute, earning their third penalty corner, which resulted in a follow-on PC. The women in red failed to profit on the second attempt, as the ball was not stopped cleanly.

With seven minutes to go for the final hooter, India look destined for a defeat. But talented Rani Rampaul engineered India’s fourth penalty corner. Jaspreet Kaur took the indirect route and slapped it forward to Yendala Soundarya, who slammed home to trigger celebrations in the Indian camp.

Two minutes later, it was Rani Rampal who essayed a precise pass to Anupa Barla, who in turn tapped it home to restore parity for the hosts.

The match courted controversy in the 32nd minute when Indian defender Jaspreet Kaur seemed to have conceded an own goal, which was denied by the umpire amid strong protests from the Japanese players.

The match went into penalty shootout as both teams were locked 2-2 in regulation time. The Japan team however proved to be too clinical at the end, beating the hosts.