India vs Japan Women’s Asia Cup Hockey 2025 Super 4s HIGHLIGHTS: India manage draw against Japan, reach final after China beat Korea

It might have been just a mere formality, but India had to wait longer than they had hoped to know whether they would be playing against China in the title clash of the Women’s Asia Cup. Playing the first of the two Super 4s matches on Saturday, India controlled the flow for large parts against Japan, but came undone by a late equaliser and could only manage a 1-1 draw, meaning they were dependent on the result of China vs Korea. As hard as Korea tried, China came through with a 1-0 win and kept their perfect tournament record intact. And so it will be India vs China in the final on Sunday in Hangzhou.

Read match report here.

India vs China title clash for the Women's Asia Cup will be played on Sunday, 14th September at 5:30 PM IST.

Here's a confirmation of the final Super 4s standings.

China still maintaining their perfect win streak. India just about manage to pip Korea and Japan.

No doubts whatsoever that China start red-hot favourites for the title on Sunday, coach Harendra's side have their task cut out.

Confirmed: India are into the final of the Women's Asia Cup. Salima Tete's side held Japan to a draw earlier today, and after China beat Korea, their place in the final is sealed.

India vs China on Sunday

We are into the final five minutes and Korea have pulled their goalkeeper out of play to try and make this interesting.

But they need three goals here, so it will be a miracle.

It's 1-0 to China at half time, so India are all but assured of their place in the final on Sunday.

INDIA CAN BREATHE EASIER: It is finally a lead for China in the second quarter.. an unfortunate defensive deflection after a PC. India are all but in the final now.

NO GOALS IN Q1: KOR 0-0 CHN

Well, well. Korea keeping their hopes alive for now. They need to breach the Chinese defence of course but first job is to keep the Chinese attack at bay, they have done that for now.

India will be getting nervy here.

SO, TO RECAP:

India took the early lead after a bright start, Beauty scoring in Q1. Japan started growing into the match in Q2. But India really should have put the game to bed in the third and fourth quarters. Late in the match, Japan removed their goalkeeper to try and push for a win but managed to get an equaliser.

What does this result mean?

India are now on 4 points behind China's 6. Japan are out of contention for the final. But Korea can throw a spanner in the works if they somehow manage to stun China... and that too by a two-goal margin.

PHEW, BREATHE.

So that is another thriller between India and Japan. India were in control for most of this match, but just couldn't find that second goal. (Conversion, sigh!) Japan equalise late.

India now need to keep an eye on Korea now. Need a China win or a draw there.

MIHIR VASAVDA: Indian hockey - the game of glorious certainties

WOW, DRAMA AT THE END.

India manage to hang on to a draw.

GOAL JAPAN!!! WOW!!! AN EQUALISER! Japan remove their goalkeeper Tanaka, then come forward down the right. Amiru Shimada, the captain with a stunning down the left and into the circle. Bichu comes out of her position but the ball is released. And from the scramble, KOBAYAKAWA Shiho sweeps it home.

There is an umpire referral... and there is no reason to rule out the goal.

HOW HAVE INDIA NOT SCORED! First a shot across goal from Sunelita down the right, Tanaka saves that shot on goal. It loops over and India keep up the pressure. Navneet with a reverse-hit across goal from the left and it nearly falls to Salima at the far post but SAito with some sensational defence to clear the danger.

TANAKA SAVES! That is a big moment from the Japanese goalkeeper. Vaishnavi injects this time, Udita reverses the ball back to the injector who has a good angle to take a shot on goal. But Tanaka is so quickly off her line and cuts out the angle. Brave goalkeeping wins possession back for her side as well too.

Another PC to India. Miyu Suzuki tries to clear the ball from danger but lifts into Rutuja. Danger. PC.

Udita and Navneet lineing up.

PC... goes to Udita. Blocked by Japan but Sangita does well to win another PC.

This one goes to Navneet, the shot is on target but Japan deal with it again.

Just over 5 mins to go. India still searching for the 2nd.

SALIMA! That is brilliant work again by the Indian captain, driving down the middle. She delays the pass just a little bit and finds Siami at the edge of the circle. She turns and releases Sharmila who fires a cross across goal and the defensive clearance leads to a PC.

MISSED CHANCE: The injection goes to Neha, who plays a cute touch behind her, Vaishnavi then tries to find Salima, who had made her way more centrally after the injection but the ball is well away from her.

Good idea, not the best execution.

Less than 8 mins to go.

PC FOR INDIA: Vaishnavi has struggled sometimes with the aerial out of defence but she gets it perfect this time, and the ball falls to Salima down the right flank. The Indian captain turns on the afterburners, and when she has turf to run on, she is so good. She drives forward, cuts inside the circle, plays a pass into the central area.

It results in an Indian PC. Japan review, Japan lose their review.

The commentator informs there is some lightning and thunder in the area.

There might be a suspension of play if the officials deem it necessary. Rain is not a problem, but play cannot continue with lightning and thunder.

Japan have another attack thwarted by the sturdy Indian defence.

Space for Japan down the right after a good transition. Hasegawa's pass to the far right though leads to the move breaking down, Udita does well.

Down the other end, Siami does sueprbly once again ndown the middle to win a free hit. India keep the ball well. Just 10 more minutes of this and India will reach the final.

But 10 mins is a long time in hockey.

A Japanese attack down the left but the cross is lifted dangerously high and hits Vaishnavi. She is OK to continue though.

Couple of "nearly" goals in Q3 for India, but both rightly ruled out. Japan still very much in this, 0-1 at the start of the final quarter, but India showing good defensive solidity.

Mihir Vasavda, who has seen many an Indian heartbreak, chips in ahead of the final quarter: Got a bad feeling the missed chances will comeback to haunt india.

More solid defensive work as India come out of the corner they were getting boxed into. Ishika keeps the ball and the hooter goes.

End of Q3, India still lead 1-0.

Some patient possession down the right with Sharmila holding the ball well. Navneet then drills one into the circle but Miyu Suzuki does well in defence. Japan break forward and Rutuja gets a green card.

India will finish Q3 and start Q4 with 10 players.

Play resumes after a mini break due to that nasty injury, we hope she is alright. She barely looked up after going down clutching her arm. India come forward once more, with Siami doing well down the middle to find space. She releases Sunelita who finds Navneet inside the circle. But the vice captain couldn't find a foot or the decisive pass.

India still searching for that cushion.

OH DEAR! THAT IS NASTY! Emi Nishikori gets hit and she is down... she hasn't turned back after falling down. The stretcher is out and she is not looking good at all. Siami went for a shot on goal from the right channel, Nishikori went for a last-ditch tackle and seemed to get hit on the arm from Siami's stick. Not dangerous play but just unfortunate.

Nishikori is finally stretchered off. Would be really surprising to see her back in this match.

PC FOR INDIA: Siami with good work down the right, India win another PC.

The ball is in the back of the goal but it is not a goal. AGAIN. The ball went to Neha who tried to go for a low hit.

Why is that not a goal? Because if it is NOT a drag flick, then the shot on goal mutst hit the board low. Sound the board, as they say. This one hit the net.

GOAL INDIA.... OR IS IT? India do well to play out of defence once more, Salima Tete with a brilliant run down the middle. Siami gets a lucky break with the ball falling kindly to her, unleashes the shot on goaland India are celebrating...

but the on-field call is that the shot as taken from outside the circle and it stands. INDIA LOSE THEIR REVIEW... IT IS NOT A GOAL.

Great defensive work by Ishika, first does well to steal the ball back just outside the circle. Then with Japan pressing high, she plays an aerial to relieve pressure.

Oh good hustle from Sunelita in the middle of the park, India drive forward, with Beauty releasing Mumtaz down the left but the UP forward couldn't quite get the ball under her control.

Coach Harendra Singh wouldn't mind these periods of attacking lull. Against China, they conceded goals out of ther own mistakes, that's what they'd need to avoid here. A bit of patience wouldn't hurt India but they'd dearly love a second goal.

The first four minutes of the second half is a bit more even in possession. India had possession early on and now Japan trying to advance.

Beauty Dungdung's goal is the difference so far from the two sides. It was a lovely move from India, a solid Q1, but in Q2, Japan are starting to put them under some pressure.

END OF FIRST HALF: A few quizzical looks across the Indian team between players. After a bright Q1, the second quarter wasn't one of India's best so far in the tournament. But they are doing their job so far, keeping Japan at bay. Except for the one PC that Bichu saved from, nothing to write home about Japan's attacking threat, thanks to India's fairly solid defending.

INDIA 1-0 JAPAN AT HALF TIME

Vaishnavi and Co deal with a Japanese attacking threat inside the D and India have a chance to break through Beauty down the right flank but the goalscorer needed to do better there ith her pass in-field to Sharmila.

It's all gotten a bit scrappy in the match bow. Too many turnovers, mishit passes... no clearcut chances at either end as the half comes to a close.

Some pressure from Japan with one minute left. They are keeping the ball well and India have decided to sit deep.

India continue to try and hassle the Japanese forwards just outside the attacking circle, and holding a good shape defensively as well. Yet to concede a PC today, at the risk of jinxing it.

India trying to box Japan into a corner down the right side, but cannot quite win the ball back there. Japan have the chance to break down the right, a lucky pass falls to Tateiwa who had the time and space to do better there. Hits a hopeful pass across the field that goes wide. But Japan are keeping up the pressure here in India's half.

The clock is back, and we have less than 5 mins to go in the first half.

Looks like the broadcast clock is currently down... and the clock at the stadium too. so we are flying blind here, somewhat. Hope someone is keeping track of the time!

Great work from India to play the bal calmly out of their deep defensive third and break away on the left. Salima releases Mumtaz but when India tried to cut back into a central area, the move broke down.

Japan are known for their defensive solidity and the ability to nake their chances count when it comes down the other end. A 1-0 lead is never ideal in a match like this but India must know that Japan have to come at them at some point. So they need to keep their defensive plans solid. Don't overcomplicate things for themselves.

BICHU SAVES: Relatively straightforward but this is the kind of angle from which India conceded twice against Korea. A low strike on goal, beats the rusher but the pace on it was easy enough for Bichu to kick it away.

Navneet Kaur starting to make her presence felt in the attacking areas early in the second quarter. Couple of half chances in the early stages of Q2. Navneet's cross across goal just evades Sangita at the far post. She was waiting for a tap in but the pace on it was too much.

Down the other end, a backstick inside the circle and India have conceded a PC.

Mumtaz Khan wins India's first PC! Neha has been central to all of India's good attacking work today, she releases Mumtaz down the left, the forward – who has had a fine tournament – goes for the reverse-hit across the goal but has her stick checked.

FIRST PC: The injection goes to Udita in the first battery, and her low slap is rushed out superbly by the Japanese defence. There is no time to take the long corner as the first quarter ends.

Mai Toriyama with some nice stickwork down the right channel, drops her shoulders to beat one defender but couldn't quite win a PC there. Down the other end, Rutuja works hard to keep the ball in play but the final pass isn't there.

CHANCE INDIA! Oh, nice one-touch passing at the edge of the circle. Salima and Sunelita combine well to find Sangita Kumari, she turns and plays the ball into a dangerous area but there is no Indian player at the end of it.

India have settled into a good passing rhythm nice and early. Salima Tete had a good run down the left byline but gets into a tangle as she dribbled close to the goalkeeper.

Japan continue to sit deep in defence for now. They won't panic just yet, they know they will get the chances to counter.

GOALLLLLLL INDIA! Beauty Dungdung.

Oh that is a wonderful move from India. Sharmila Devi picks up a loose deflection in midfield, releases Neha. The midfielder drives forward and plays a really good reverse pass to Mumtaz Khan down the right. Mumtaz's first touch is superb, takes her past the defender and into the circle. She hits the ball across goal and Beauty gets a deflection on it that lifts it just past Kudo. That touch was actually important, because Kudo might have had it covered otherwise.

Superb goal.

Sunelita shows her pace with a nice turn in the midfield, the idea is right as she plays a nice little through ball to Udita down the left flank but it just overhit.

Japan's first real spell of poession in the match after 3-4 minutes have passed. They rotate the ball from flank to flank, but India keep them at an arm's length. Stopping plays before they could enter the D.

Udita tries to unlock the defensive low block early with an aerial, the ball falls kindly to Sunelita who registers India's first circle entry, looks for a foot down the left but gets a long corner. India have started on the front foot with Udita trying to dictate play from long passes from defence.

Oh a mini chance there. Ishika's long pass into the circle beats everybody, hits the post and rebounds but doesn't fall to an Indian player.

All eyes on India's attack and Japan's defence in the early stages. Yu Kudo in goal for Japan to start, Akio Tanaka will likely rotate with her, the latter was sensational against India earlier in the tournament.

PUSHBACK DONE, WE ARE ALL SET.

Hot and humid conditions, says commentator Ash Morrison. The national anthems are done, the huddles are done.

We are all set for pushback.

Reminder, a win takes India to the final. A draw MIGHT be enough, but they cannot lose.

A special day for Navneet Kaur. 200 caps for India. What a player she is when on song. India will need her at her best today once more.

Here's a look at the recent Head-to-Head between India and Japan in women's international hockey. The most recent was the 2-2 draw but India will remember the heartbreak in Ranchi when Japan pipped India to the Paris 2024 quta spott

The team’s most recent international outing was the European leg in the Pro League, where they often ended up conceding numerous soft Penalty Corners that led to a leaky defence – Harendra had said in his post-mortem of that tour that he wasn’t happy with conceding more than 50 PCs from which 35% resulted in goals. But the team will be boosted by the comeback of defenders Udita and Nikki Pradhan – sharing a total of more than 300 caps between them – as well as Ishika Chaudhary’s return to full fitness.

“Now, I am confident with our defense,” Harendra told The Indian Express before the tournament. “During the Pro League, I had to adjust with midfielders playing out of position. Udita and Nikki know how to hold, when to push up, and when to drop. Their experience is not easy to replace.” And so, in the camp leading up to Hangzhou, the prime objective was to become more watertight at the back. “The focus was definitely on defence that we should not give soft PCs. And if we do, we should not allow opponents to score. We worked hard on the PC defensive phase and how to avoid conceding them in the first place. Let’s try to tackle before opponents enter the circle. So, we worked on improving our 1v1 individual tackling. And since Nikki and Udita are back, the team also feels confident that we won’t be conceding easy PCs.”

Given the relegation from Pro League, and the challenges they have faced in the lead-up to this tournament, it is not just the players who will be feeling the heat but the head coach too. “I did a PowerPoint presentation about dealing with this. What is pressure? It is something I am choosing to feel. I see it as a privilege and I have earned this place. It is applicable for both the players and me as a coach. I am fortunate to lead my country. I will take that pressure not as fear but as the fuel to ignite my energy. As must the players.”

From our preview.

While Bichu had little to do, and did it well, both the Japanese goalkeepers – Yu Kudo and Akio Tanaka – were kept busy through the match. That Tanaka walked away with the player of the match award, having played just two of the four quarters, was a measure of how often India peppered her goal.

In her 50th appearance for India, and finally getting to be the No 1 goalkeeper for the Indian women’s hockey team with Savita Punia sidelined, Bichu Devi Kharibam was largely a spectator in Hangzhou. She had scarce involvement in the match either side of Japan’s opening goal in the 10th minute. But when the Cherry Blossoms bloomed in the final quarter, springing to life in the last five minutes, Bichu had to make two massive saves. Suddenly, her evening lit up. And eventually, she was beaten for the second time in the 58th minute by a penalty stroke that saw India go behind 1-2, after dominating possession and carrying significant attacking threat right through the match. A defeat would have been harsh, but a familiar story of missed chances and conceding avoidable goals.

But with 40 seconds left to go on the clock, India upped the ante once more. A penalty corner was won and thwarted, but somehow they stole the back, drove forward to win another one, with milliseconds left on the clock. The whistle from the referee went up just before the final hooter did, so India had the time to take another shot at goal, a ninth PC on the night. Up stepped vice captain Navneet Kaur and fired home a late, late equaliser to rescue a point for India in a thrilling Pool B match against Japan at the Asia Cup. Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (30’) had scored at the stroke of half-time for India’s first equaliser. Meanwhile, for Japan, the goals came in the form of Hiroka Murayama (10’) and Chiko Fujibayashi (58’).

As he drove more than 100 km from his home in Jalandhar to a village on the banks of the Ravi river, it dawned upon Hardik Singh that the reality he saw was far more heart-wrenching than what he had seen in the media. All through last week, the vice-captain of the Indian hockey team battled the scorching Rajgir heat with a smile and emerged as one of the heroes of the triumphant Asia Cup campaign. On Wednesday, Hardik decided to use all his match fees and prize money from the tournament, running into lakhs, to help flood victims rebuild their lives. The 26-year-old adopted a family of four in Ramdas, a village in the border town of Ajnala. Hardik said he will help Gurshan Singh, his mother and two children reconstruct their house, which was destroyed in the floods, including buying furniture, fans and even a television.

Read more here.

Before the tournament, coach Harendra told this daily that he didn’t want his players to think too much about China’s rising stature in women’s hockey and create pressure on themselves subconsciously. And for three-fourths of the Super 4s match against the red-hot favourites, India played that way too. Not giving too much respect to their opponents, trusting their own attacking skills, and going toe-to-toe at both ends of the pitch. That’s, broadly, India’s biggest takeaway from the performance… but in the end, the scoreboard read 4-1 in favour of China. It might be harsh given how evenly fought the match was, but it was a fair reflection of China’s overall quality and India’s naivete.

India's Mumtaz Khan scored a remarkable goal against China. Her powerful shot, a tomahawk from the edge of the circle, was the first goal China had conceded in the tournament, a feat no other team had accomplished in five previous matches. This goal, scored in the third quarter, was a well-deserved reward for India's persistent offense.

However, despite this breakthrough, the Indian team ultimately lost the match 1-4.

Read more here.

To guarantee a spot in the women's Asia Cup hockey final, India must defeat Japan in their upcoming match. This will give them 6 points, ensuring they finish ahead of both Japan and Korea. A draw against Japan would put India in a more precarious position. They would have 4 points, and their fate would depend on the later game between China and Korea. India would have a goal difference of -1, while Korea's is -2. This means Korea would need to beat China by at least two goals to overtake India, which seems unlikely given China's strong defense throughout the tournament.

If India loses to Japan, they will be eliminated from contention for the final. Japan would advance with 4 points, leaving India with 3. The second spot in the final would then be decided between Japan and Korea, with Korea needing to achieve a better result against China than Japan's result against India.

Read more here.

Hello all, and welcome to our continued live coverage of Indian hockey.

It's a big one today in Hangzhou at the Women's Asia Cup. A spot in the final is at stake for three teams and India, currently, are leading that particular mini race. But they have to recover quickly from 1-4 defeat against China on Thursday, brush that off and deal with the Japanese challenge that is in front of them today in the final Super 4s encounter.

Stay tuned for all the live updates.