Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run and defeated Japan 2-0 to enter the final of the women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rajgir on Tuesday. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 48th minute while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in the 56th minute for India, who had plenty of scoring chances including 13 penalty corners. India will face China, whom they defeated in the league stages, in the final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal.

Malaysia will take on Japan in the third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.

The Indians continued their attacking game and put on early pressure on the Japanese defence, just like the last league game.

The play was mostly inside the Japanese half as the Indian defence was hardly tested.

India had the first shot at the goal inside the initial five minute. Skipper Salima Tete’s attempt was thwarted by Japanse goalkeeper Yu Kudo.

The Indians repeatedly penetrated the Japanese citadel and in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes but Kudo was alert under the bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika.

Three minutes into the second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find the back of the net.

It was raining penalty corners for the hosts as they got back-to-back set pieces in the 21st minute but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again.

In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by another in the next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as they also lacked in execution.

A minute after the change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both.

In the 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece.

In the 41st minute, Deepika stole the ball just outside the Japanese circle, but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.

Seconds from the end of third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from another penalty corner.

In the 47th minute, India secured their 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo.

But a minute later, India broke the deadlock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika and Navneet made no mistake.

The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Indians as they scored a fine field goal in the 56th minute.

Lalremsiami slammed into the back of the Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo’s terrific run from the right flank.

Japan got a penalty corner in the dying moments, but failed to get past a rock solid Indian defence.

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India men’s hockey team is all set to take on Japan in their second match of the Asian Champions Trophy on Monday at the Moqi Training Base, China. Team India launched its title defence with a commanding 3-0 win over hosts China on Sunday. Sukhjeet Singh (14th minute), Uttam, Singh (27th) and Abhishek (32nd) were the goal-scorer for India, while China drew a blank. Coming into the tournament after securing a second successive bronze at the Olympics, India looked the more enterprising side as they grabbed the opportunities up front and was rock solid in defence to emerge winners.

Sukhjeet put India ahead at the stroke of the first quarter before Uttam Singh doubled the lead just three minutes before the end of the second quarter as India went 2-0 up at the half time. Just two minutes after resumption, Abhishek found the back of the net with a spectacular reverse hit.

Here are the details of India’s ACT hockey game that is set to take place against Japan –

When will the India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match be played?

The India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be played on September 9, 2024.

Where will the India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match be played?

The India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be played at Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir City, China.

What time will the India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match start?

The India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will start at 1:15 PM IST.

Which TV channels will live telecast the India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match ?

The India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be telecast live in Sony Sports network TV channels.

Where to follow the live streaming of the India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match?

The India vs Japan, Men’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey match will be live streamed on the SonyLIV app and website in India.

(All details are as per information provided by the broadcaster)

(With PTI Inputs)

The Indian men’s hockey team will look to press the restart button after a successful Olympic campaign and defend its Asian Champions Trophy title when it open its campaign against hosts China in Hulunbuir, China on Sunday. After bagging back-to-back Olympic bronze medals, India will start as favourites to defend their ACT title against top hockey playing nations of Asia in the form of China, Japan, Pakistan, Korea and Malaysia. Last year, India won the title at home, making them the only team to bag four titles in the history of the tournament.

Back from a short break after the Paris Olympics, India skipper Harmanpreet Singh is keen on continuing their dominance in the continental championships.

“The Asian Champions Trophy last year gave us the right momentum going into the Asian Games and followed it up with the Olympic Games triumph of standing on the podium yet again. This time too, we want to begin the fresh Olympic cycle by winning this tournament,” Harmanpreet said ahed of their tournament opener.

“While we have 10 members from the Olympic side playing in this tournament, we have a few youngsters trying to make their impact in the team.

“In terms of game point-of-view, our attacking and penalty corners are our forte but we will be looking to play a structured defence, particularly against teams like Japan, Malaysia and Pakistan. This is an important tournament for us in terms of world ranking points and we are ready for the challenge,” he added.

After China, India will take on Japan in their second match on September 9, followed by games against last year’s runners-up Malaysia on September 11, Korea on September 12 and arch-rivals Pakistan on September 14.

The semifinal and final are scheduled for September 16 and 17.

India’s schedule for Men’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024:

vs China – September 8 – 3:30pm

vs Japan – September 9 – 1:15pm

vs Malaysia – September 11 – 1:15pm

vs South Korea – September 12 – 1:15pm

vs Pakistan – September 14 – 1:15pm

India Squad:

Goalkeepers – Krishan Bahadur Pathak, Suraj Karkera

Defenders – Jarmanpreet Singh, Amit Rohidas, Harmanpreet Singh (C), Jugraj Singh, Sanjay, Sumit

Midfielders – Raj Kumar Pal, Nilakanta Sharma, Vivek Sagar Prasad (VC), Manpreet Singh, Mohammed Raheel Mouseen

Forwards – Abhishek, Sukhjeet Singh, Araijeet Singh Hundal, Uttam Singh, Gurjot Singh

With PTI Inputs