Asian Games 2018, India vs Japan, women’s Hockey final highlights: Japan beat India 2-1, win gold
It was India’s chance, but Japan was the better side, they always kept up the pressure and had more intent. India missed few chances, they could not convert the penalty corners and have to be content with the silver medal.This was India’s chance to end their 36-year long wait as a confident women’s hockey team took on Japan in the hockey finale. India were been in good form in the tournament so far and after they edged past China 1-0 in the semi-finals, they took on Japan. The Indian eves last entered the finals of the Asian Games in 1998 when they lost to Korea. They started as definite favourites as their rankings suggest.
19:59 hrs IST
Japan were intense, India chased the game
The pressure was up right from the word go and India were not allowed any breathing space at any point.
Yes, they were favourites, but now India have to be content with silver
19:50 hrs IST
Time slips by, Japan win GOLD
They kept pressing, they kept attacking, India were always chasing the game, and they now go down.
They have to be content with SILVER
19:46 hrs IST
Time slipping away
India have lost the plot, they are not able to take the ball, they are not able to move forward.
19:41 hrs IST
India need more people forward
The ball keeps moving forward, but there are not enough people to forge any attack.
19:38 hrs IST
India look rattled
The passes are not complete and there is no proper finishing.
10 more minutes to go, Japan on the charge, India have to keep the ball.
19:31 hrs IST
Third quarter ends
Japan in the lead and they deserve it. They have never allowed India to breathe free in the match.
India have all the running to do now.
19:29 hrs IST
GOAL! Key penalty corner for Japan
This is dangerous for India, it comes very close to the end of the 3rd quarter.
Japan convert it, ball slammed inside the goal, what a variation, what a stunning finish
19:26 hrs IST
Good save by Savita
Lovely run, lovely pass but the Indian goalie anticipated the ball and its direction and was able to kick it away without any fuss
19:23 hrs IST
Japan move forward
It was a sudden attack by Japan, Indian defence caught napping, but they do enough to keep the ball away.
19:21 hrs IST
India stepping up
The team is now finding its groove, lovely synchronised play and Japan is under pressure.
Goal is needed.
19:19 hrs IST
Positive move from India
Lovely forward press by Kataria. was a good thrust too, but then the ball is wide and no one is there to receive the pass
19:18 hrs IST
Japan on the attack
It was a long ball, but then it drifts wide.
India need to be awake
19:06 hrs IST
Half-time, it is all even
Japan scored early and then India hit back courtesy Neha Goyal.
Japan have more pace and India need to keep the ball a bit more. Both sides have defended with a lot of panache.
It is building up quite nicely
19:04 hrs IST
Good defence from India
Deepika kept her cool and composure and thwarted any threat just outside the D box.
The Indian defence needs to be tight
18:59 hrs IST
GOAL! India make a comeback
Lovely ball, Neha gets it and deflects it in. Lovely pass from Navneet and the ball found Neha who is unmarked.
Well, game on, game on!
18:57 hrs IST
India not keeping the ball long enough
The midfield keeps the ball, dribbles and then gives it away, Japan keeps stealing it away and this is why the team is looking shaky at the moment.
Ball needs to in Japan’s half more often
18:52 hrs IST
Japan controlling the game
They have the lead and are looking to press on even further. India’s defence is looking very jittery. The flanks are getting exposed whenever Japan enter the penalty area.
18:47 hrs IST
First quarter ends
Japan kept the pressure on the Indian defence and they eventually scored.
India need to press on the accelerator a lot more.
18:42 hrs IST
GOAL! Japan wins PC and they score
They kept pressing, India were put under pressure and finally they score
18:41 hrs IST
Penalty corner for India
This is a good chance for India.
And lovely move there, India miss, good feed by Rani, but the flick by Gurjit went just wide and cleared by the goalie
18:38 hrs IST
That was so close for Japan
Lovely play, lovely pass, lovely attack, but not so good finish. India under pressure, they have to keep the ball more.
18:36 hrs IST
Japan shoot and miss
Shot goes wide, India then clear the ball
18:34 hrs IST
Ahh, that was close for India
Lovely intercept by Rani, gave a clear ball to the forward, but the goalie makes a good save
18:32 hrs IST
Rampal on the charge
The captain takes off, on the counter, reaches the circle, but then loses the ball.
18:31 hrs IST
A very sedate start
Both teams look to keep the ball. Japan had the chance but the ball was not intercepted cleanly. Japan on the attack
18:29 hrs IST
Let’s go
India hold the edge, but it is the finals and past results really do not matter
18:27 hrs IST
National Anthem time
The teams are out there and sing their national anthems. There is pressure, and tension.
Gold up for grabs
18:24 hrs IST
An Olympic berth awaits
A victory will not only yield a gold medal, but the winner qualifies for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
18:14 hrs IST
The starting XI
Here is the Starting XI of the Indian Eves who will play their big Final match at the 18th @asiangames2018 against Japan at 6:30 PM (IST) on 31st August 2018. Watch the action LIVE on @SPNSportsIndia and @SonyLIV. #IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2018 #INDvJPN pic.twitter.com/a0T3aganT7
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 31, 2018
18:11 hrs IST
We are almost there
It's been a long journey leading up to this very moment!
The Indian Eves are more than ready to face Japan in the Final of the @asiangames2018 in Jakarta & Palembang on 31st August.#IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2018 #INDvJPN pic.twitter.com/I7c2Qs4EZZ
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 31, 2018
17:47 hrs IST
The captain speaks
.@imranirampal, Captain of the Indian Women's Hockey Team, says the youngsters have exceeded all the expectations and believes that they will rise to the occasion when the Eves face Japan in the Final of the @asiangames2018 on 31st August.#IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/itWbN0Z8aC
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 31, 2018
17:31 hrs IST
It is all building up, folks
Watch the Indian Women's Hockey Team shape up for their Final against Japan at the @asiangames2018 in Jakarta & Palembang on 31st August.#IndiaKaGame #AsianGames2018 pic.twitter.com/ViwCWvwp1s
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) August 31, 2018
17:18 hrs IST
Recent form of India
Earlier this year, India could not achieve a podium finish, but then managed to beat Olympic champions England, and lost narrowly to Australia in the semi-final.
17:16 hrs IST
India have been in good form
The eves have registered huge victories against Indonesia (8-0), Kazakhstan (21-0), Korea (4-1) and Thailand (5-0) in the pool stages
16:43 hrs IST
India won bronze in the previous edition
India registered a hard-fought 1-0 win over China to enter the final of the Asian Games after 20 years.
