India thwarted a late fightback from Japan to secure a 2-1 victory and virtually seal a semifinal spot in the FIH Hockey Women's Nations Cup on Monday. (More Hockey News)
Salima Tete gave India a fifth minute lead when she tackled two Japanese defenders with a change of direction inside the D before slotting the ball past 🐎Eika Nakamura with a cool-headed finish.
Jharkhand teenage꧑r Beauty Dungdung then scored her first International goal at the senior level with a superb effort as she emerged through a resolute Japanese hustle to slot the ball in the 40th minute.
Japan made a strong fightback in the final quarter and it was♔ Rui Takashima who pulled one back in the 49th minute but In🤡dia managed to hold on to secure their second win from as many games.
India defe⛄ated Chile 3-1 in their opening match of Pool B in the eꦕight-nation tournament.
The Savita Punia-led side now has six poi👍nts from two games to lead Pool B and almost clinch the🐟ir last-four spot.
They will need a drawꩵ against South Africa♚ in their concluding league match here on December 14 to seal their last-four berth.
India started the match with a f🎀lurry of attacks and it was Player-of-the-Match Tete who finally gave them the upperhand with a superb finish.
They could have easily got a few more but their penalty corner conversions remained a headache for the Janneke Schopm♏an-coached side. India got nine attempts from PC but none of them could be converted as it remained 🐼their main concern.
