Hockey World League: Eves lose plot in shootout

Ninth-ranked Japan outplayed India 3-2 (2-2) in the most closely-contested match of the Women’s Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Friday.

With both sides locked 2-2 at full-time, the match went into the shootout. Japan collected three points after edging past India 3-2 in the shootout. Mazuki Arai, Yuri Nagai and skipper Rika Komazawa scored goals quite easily for Japan whereas Soundarya Yendala and Rani scored for India.

Chanchan Devi Thokchom, captain Ritu Rani and Vandana Katariya failed to get past the Japanese goalie Ryoko Oie and missed their chances.

Earlier, Japan dominated the first half of the match and scored two goals to take the lead. Shiho Sakai and Akiko Ota both converted penalty corners in the 4th and 31st minute respectively.

India came back strongly after the breather and equalised within 30 minutes, courtesy Soundarya Yendala’s successful penalty corner conversion and Anupa Barla’s field goal.

Indian eves kept attacking the Japanese half. However, the Japanese defenders restricted the scoreline to 2-2 at full-time and both the teams headed for penalty shootout.

Stopwatch: India 2 (S Yendala 62nd, A Barla 65th) lost to Japan 2 (S Sakai 4th, A Ota 31st) via penalty shootout (2-3)