India beat Japan 3-1 to reach Asian Games 2026 women's hockey semi-finals
India's women's hockey team defeated hosts Japan 3-1 in a Pool B match at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 in Kakamigahara on Friday, securing a place in the tournament semi-finals.
The match was played at Kawasaki Juko Stadium in hot afternoon conditions and was India’s fourth straight victory in the pool stage; the team previously beat Uzbekistan 19-0, Indonesia 17-1 and Thailand 20-1. India have one pool match remaining, against Singapore on September 27.
India started on the front foot and created early chances in the opening minute when Neha’s reverse hit went wide and Navneet’s effort on the right wing struck the side netting. The breakthrough arrived in the fifth minute after Navneet’s initial hit was slowed by a Japanese stick inside the circle and Lalremsiami collected the loose ball to slot it past goalkeeper Yu Kudo for a 1-0 lead.
A penalty corner in the seventh minute saw Navneet’s injected set-up blocked, and Japan countered immediately, only for Bichu Devi to save with an outstretched leg; the rebound produced a Japan penalty corner but Maho Ueno’s grounded flick was wide. India earned another penalty corner in the 13th minute following a blocked Navneet shot, but a poor stop denied them a further test of Japan’s defence and the first quarter ended 1-0.
The second quarter saw India retain control of possession while Japan attempted to use counter-attacks; India doubled their lead in the 30th minute when Navneet’s direct penalty-corner attempt was saved and Ishika converted the rebound to make it 2-0 at half-time. India carried momentum into the third quarter and extended their advantage in the 36th minute when Navneet received the ball inside the circle, moved right and scooped it over the Japanese goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
During the third quarter Ishika and Rutuja had chances to add to the score and captain Salima Tete created an opportunity for Navneet late in the period, but Kudo produced a save to maintain the three-goal margin. Japan reduced the deficit in the opening minute of the fourth quarter when Shiho Kobayakawa struck a tomahawk to Savita Punia’s left, bringing the score to 3-1 and prompting celebrations from the home supporters.
India managed the remainder of the match while continuing to create opportunities: Navneet came close from a penalty corner in the 50th minute, Baljeet and Lalremsiami combined two minutes later with an effort that deflected over the crossbar, and a turnover from Sushila led to a Japan chance that Savita saved before India successfully defended the resulting penalty corner. Deepika’s reverse-hit on a counterattack lacked the power to trouble the goal and the final hooter confirmed a 3-1 win.
India will finish their Pool B campaign against Singapore on September 27.