- By Himanshu Badola
- Sat, 07 Oct 2023 03:36 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India's women's team defeated Japan 2-1 to clinch the Bronze Medal at the Asian Games 2023 in Hangzhou on Saturday.
Deepika (5’) and Sushila Chanu (50’) scored for the Indian women’s hockey team while Japanese captain Nagai Yuri (30’) found the back of the net for her team.
Earlier in the tournament, India's women's team went through remarkable outings in the group stage as they topped Pool A with three wins and one draw to make the semi-finals.
However, Savita Punia and Co suffered a disappointing 0-4 defeat against the hosts to miss out on the Gold and entered the third-place match.
The first half of the India vs Japan match witnessed a stunning play by the Women in Blue as they took an early lead with just five minutes on the clock of the first quarter.
After an infringement from a penalty corner, India were awarded a penalty stroke and Deepika made no mistakes putting it away,
The Indian team kept creating more opportunities but couldn't find the second goal.
The second quarter was bossed by Japan who troubled the Indian defence a lot.
It took some last-minute interventions from Sushila Chanu and goalkeeper Savita Punia to safeguard India’s lead but Japan found the back of the net moments before the half time to make it 1-1 at the break.
Japan captain Nagai Yuri deflected a penalty corner in from close range to ensure a comeback for her side.
The third quarter was a frustrating one with no goals scored.
India got a penalty corner towards the end when Lalremsiami found herself through on goal but her shot went wide.
The next penalty corner to India helped them score a goal. The ball fell to Sushila Chanu who bagged a shot which took a deflection as the ball looped over Japanese keeper Eika Nakamura to go inside the net.
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The goal promised India the bronze medal as the players and coach Janneke Schopman were full of emotions with the team clinching a remarkable achievement.
This was India’s fourth women’s hockey bronze medal at the Asian Games after Seoul 1986, Doha 2006, and Incheon 2014. The Indian women, whose only gold medal at the continental showpiece came at New Delhi 1982, had clinched a silver at the last edition at Jakarta 2018.