India vs Japan Highlights, Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers: IND Miss Paris Olympics Berth, Lose To JPN 1-0

Japan beat India 1-0 to seal a final berth for the 2024 Paris Olympics in the FIH Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers in Ranchi on Friday. 

The dying minutes of the game are underway and India are still behind one goal despite many scoring opportunities. 

Another penalty corner was missed by India due to a lack of coordination between the players in the striking circle. The stopper was not able to stop the ball properly.

IND 0-1 JPN (52')

India miss another penalty corner, Japan denfend it well to keep the scoreline unchanged in the final quarter.

IND 0-1 JPN (49')  

The constant attack by Indian attackers earned them a PC in the dying minutes of the quarter but could not capitalise on the opportunity. The scoreline remains the same at the end of Q3. 

IND 0-1 JPN (45') 

The on-goal shot from Yu Asai's flick was saved by Ishika. Japan referred umpire's decision but no evidence to overturn the decision due to a lack of conclusive substance. 

IND 0-1 JPN (38')

Japan have successfully restricted India from any scoring opportunity in the quarter and kept them on their toes in defense. Japan will lead into the half time with 1-0 lead.

IND 0-1 JPN (30')

India's strike hits the bar post and another chance goes in vain to score an equaliser.

IND 0-1 JPN (19')

Japan finished Q1 with a 1-0 lead after scoring an early goal in the match. The visitors maintained their lead and kept the pressure on Indian players.

IND 0-1 JPN (15')  

India have so far missed two chances to score an equaliser in the opening quarter. Japan have kept Indian strikers quiet from finding spaces in the circle.

IND 0-1 JPN (13')

Japan score on the second penalty corner to take an early lead in the match. Kana Urata entered her name on the scoresheet.

IND 0- 1 JPN (6')

Japan earn a penalty corner early in the first quarter after India conceded a foul in the striking circle. Indian rusher averted the attack as the hosts got away with it easily.

IND 0-0 JPN (5') 

India are attacking right to left (in blue) while Japan (in pink) are attacking from left to right in the match.

India and Japan are out in the middle for the national anthems before the start of the intense battle for the final 2024 Paris Olympics berth.

The winner of this match will play in the 2024 Paris Olympics by finishing third in the competition. Germany and the USA will play against each other in the final of the  FIH Hockey Olympic Qualifiers 2024 later in the day.

"From the first game to the last, we are playing as final. We need to fight hard and compete hard and that's what we will be doing," Indian coach Janneke Schopman said before the third-place encounter.

India started their campaign with a shock 0-1 loss against lower ranked USA but made a comeback in the next match as they toppled New Zealand 3-1. In their last Pool B match, hosts India outclassed Italy 5-1 to book a semifinal berth.

In their semifinal clash against Germany, India lost the match in a penalty shootout despite a spirited effort from the Savita-led side.

India: Savita Punia (Captain), Bichu Devi Kharibam, Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalker, Salima Tete, Navneet Kaur, Neha, Sonika, Jyoti, Beuty Dungdung, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Lalremsiami, Baljeet Kaur, Nisha

Japan: Eika Nakamura, Yu Asai, Miyu Suzuki, Yuri Nagai (Captain), Hazuki Nagai, Shihori Oikawa, Miki Kozuka, Chiko Fujibayashi, Akari Nakagomi, Mai Toriyama, Kana Urata, Amiru Shimada, Akio Tanaka, Rui Takashima, Sakurako Omoto, Aimi Kobayashi, Miyu Hasegawa, Rika Ogawa

Despite the challenges against Germany, Coach Janneke Schopman is banking on one more stellar performance from her team.

“We know Japan well. We’ll go back to the drawing boards to make a plan for the Japan game, making sure that we can execute our press and move the ball,” Indian head coach.

The match will begin at 4:30 PM IST.

In a heart-wrenching clash at the FIH Women's Hockey Olympic Qualifiers Semi Final, Germany secured their place in the Paris Olympics, defeating India in a thrilling sudden-death shootout. Well, all is not lost for the Women in Blue as they will get another shot at elusive Olympic berth in the 3rd place play-off.

Hello & welcome to the live coverage of Olympic Qualifier match between India and Japan here in Ranchi.