Hockey World League: Indian eves lose 0-4 to Japan, to play for 7-8 position

Indian women’s hockey team continued their wretched ways in the FIH Hockey World League semifinals, going down 0-4 to Japan in a classification match for 5-8^th position in Rotterdam.

The 12th ranked Neil Hawgood-coached Indians came up with another spineless showing against a more purposeful Japanese outfit, which stunned the world number one Netherlands, holding them to a 1-1 draw in their tournament opener.

It was once again a similar trend of catching-up business for Indian hockey eves as they conceded an early goal. 24-year-old Ayaka Nishimura rattled the Indian cage making the most of a nice pass fed by one of her team-mates.

Indians needed to offer a strong riposte to stay in the contest but their battered morale – courtesy heavy defeats at the hands of New Zealand and Germany in the league – seemed to be playing on their minds as they struggled to play as a cohesive unit.

Captain Ritu Rani’s poor form in the tournament continued as she was unable to spearhead an Indian fightback. In fact, the dip in her form affected their midfield severely.

The midfield was unable to feed the forwardline as the likes of Vandana Katariya, Poonam Rani and Anupa Barla proved ineffective.

The Indian defence was under sustained pressure as was the case in all the matches so far.

Japan extended the lead when Shiho Otsuka, playing her 48^th international, sounded the board from close range.

Japan led 2-0 at half-time.

The Reds made the scoreline 3-0 when 23-year-old Shiho Otsuka added her second goal for the day in the first minute of the second half.

The India’s confidence was truly punctured by that early second half strike. They seemed resigned to their fate and were merely going through the motions.

Yuri Nagai further compounded India’s woes when she slammed home with sixteen minutes remaining on the clock.

Indian eves will now meet the winner of the Belgium-Chile in a classification match for the 7-8^th position on Saturday.