The Indian Women’s Hockey Team produced a spirited display to hold Japan 1-1 in their Super 4s clash at the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 in Hangzhou.
Beauty Dung Dung’s early goal gave India the lead, but a late strike from Shiho Kobayakawa ensured the two sides shared points. Despite the draw, India remain firmly in contention for a place in the final, with qualification now hinging on the outcome of the China vs Korea fixture. India opened the match with great intensity, immediately testing the Japanese defence. Ishika Chaudhary came close to breaking the deadlock in the early exchanges when her attempt struck the frame of the goal.
The breakthrough came in the seventh minute, as India’s attacking pressure paid off. Neha’s sharp shot was deflected by Beauty Dung Dung into the back of the net, giving India a well-deserved 1-0 lead. The early goal set the tone for the quarter. India maintained their attacking rhythm and earned the first penalty corner of the contest in the dying moments of the quarter. While they could not convert, the Indian side ended the first period with momentum firmly in their favour, leading 1-0.
Japan Push Back in the Second Quarter
Trailing by a goal, Japan began the second quarter with renewed purpose. They pushed forward in numbers, pressing India deep and earning a penalty corner. However, India’s defence, led by experienced goalkeeper Savita Punia, stood strong and denied the equaliser. As the quarter progressed, India regained their composure and worked the ball back into Japan’s half, using their midfield to slow the tempo and create openings. Lalremsiami and Neha were instrumental in driving play forward, but Japan’s defence proved resilient. In the closing minutes of the half, Japan increased the pressure, forcing India into a defensive shell.
Still, India held their ground, keeping Japan at bay to enter halftime with their slender 1-0 lead intact. The third quarter saw India on the front foot once again. Determined to double their advantage, the team pressed high and created several attacking opportunities. Lalremsiami was central to the offensive effort, constantly troubling the Japanese defence with her runs and link-up play.
India’s forwards tested the opposition repeatedly, but the finishing touch eluded them. Despite enjoying more possession and territory, the second goal never arrived. Japan’s experienced defensive unit held firm under sustained pressure, frustrating India’s attackers. At the end of the third quarter, India still led 1-0, but the sense lingered that they had missed chances to kill the game.
Japan’s Late Equaliser
The final quarter shifted the momentum once more, as Japan threw everything forward in search of an equaliser. Their intensity grew with every passing minute, and India’s defenders were increasingly called into action. Midway through the quarter, India managed to regain some control, pushing back into Japan’s half and earning a series of penalty corners. However, the Japanese defence remained compact, keeping India from capitalizing.
Just as India seemed to be managing the game well, Japan struck in the 58th minute. Shiho Kobayakawa found space inside the circle and finished clinically to bring the scores level at 1-1. The late goal was a blow to India’s hopes of a famous win, especially after controlling large parts of the contest. Despite a last push from both sides in the dying moments, the game ended in a 1-1 stalemate when the final hooter sounded.
The draw keeps India in contention for a spot in the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 final, but their fate now rests partly on the outcome of the match between China and Korea. India will progress if China defeat Korea or if Korea fail to win by more than two goals.
While India would have preferred to seal their final berth outright with a win, the performance offered several positives. The team showed attacking flair, defensive solidity, and the ability to compete toe-to-toe with one of Asia’s strongest sides. At the same time, the inability to convert opportunities into a decisive second goal and the vulnerability in the closing stages highlighted areas that need fine-tuning.
Beauty Dung Dung’s early goal was a standout moment, exemplifying India’s sharpness in attack. The young forward continues to cement her place as a reliable scorer in crucial matches. Ishika Chaudhary’s early attempt and Lalremsiami’s relentless energy in midfield further underlined India’s attacking depth. In defence, Savita Punia and her backline absorbed considerable Japanese pressure. Their ability to deny multiple penalty corners will be encouraging as India prepare for the next stage. However, conceding a late equaliser underscored the importance of maintaining concentration until the final whistle.
If India qualify for the final, they will face China, rekindling memories of the 2017 edition when India famously defeated China to win the title. That triumph, eight years ago, remains one of Indian women’s hockey’s finest moments. The current side now stands on the cusp of emulating that achievement, with the added prize of securing a World Cup berth.
The draw against Japan may not have been the result India had hoped for, but it showed that this squad has the resilience and quality to challenge the best. With one more step to go, the Indian women’s hockey team will look to seize the opportunity and carve another historic moment in Hangzhou.
