India lost their 5th-8th classification match 0-2 to Japan at the FIH Women’s Hockey World League Semi-Final in Johannesburg on Thursday, as their hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup suffered a major blow.
Japan took the lead through a successful penalty corner conversion by Kana Nomura in the seventh minute, with India managing to fend off two more penalty corners in the next three minutes.
The Japanese side extended its lead to 2-0 just a minute before the end of the second quarter, with Naho Ichitani successfully converting from a penalty corner.
READ | Hockey World League Semi-Final: India women go down to England in quarters
India managed to create a number of chances in the final two quarters, but Japan’s defence held firm to ensure a 2-0 win.
The loss leaves India’s hopes of qualifying for the 2018 World Cup hanging in the balance.
India will now need to win the Asia Cup, to be held in Japan later this year, to make the cut for the World Cup.
{{/usCountry}}India will now need to win the Asia Cup, to be held in Japan later this year, to make the cut for the World Cup.
{{/usCountry}}