In Women's Asia Cup:India And Japan Ended In A Draw - Connect2ConnectOnline September 7, 2025

India, who had crushed Thailand 11-0 in their first match, will take on Singapore in their last pool B game on Monday (September 8, 2025).

India is now sitting at 10th in the world rankings, while Japan is at 12th.

Navneet Kaur scored from a penalty corner just seconds before the final whistle, helping India come back from behind twice to draw 2-2 against the defending champions Japan in their second pool match of the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament in Hangzhou on Saturday (September 6, 2025).

In a thrilling pool B match, Hiroka Murayama put Japan ahead in the 10th minute, but India’s Rutaja Dadaso Pisal leveled the score in the 30th minute.

Chiko Fujibayashi scored again to put Japan in the lead at the 58th minute, but Navneet equalized just two minutes later in the 60th.

Match Summary

India got off to a fast start, launching attacks on the Japanese defense.

However, Japan managed to shake off the early pressure and even scored first when Murayama netted the ball following a well coordinated play.

Japan was ahead 1-0 and managed to hold off India for the rest of the first quarter.

The Indian team pushed hard, launching more attacks in search of the equalizer. Japan was solid defensively, making it difficult for the Indians.

However, in the closing moments of the first half, India broke through as Rutuja scored right before the break, leveling the game at 1-1.

The two teams headed into halftime with the score tied at 1-1.

The second half kicked off with both teams playing cautiously to avoid losing any momentum.

India aimed to take the lead after a strong finish in the first half, but Japan’s solid defense stood firm.

In the third quarter, both teams exchanged blows, entering the last 15 minutes still tied at 1-1.

In the last quarter, both teams really stepped up their offensive game, aiming for that all important winning goal.

Japan’s relentless pressure paid off first, as they scored just a few minutes before the final whistle.

Fujibayashi was awarded a penalty stroke and she nailed it to bring the score to 2-1.

Following that, India put in maximum effort looking for an equalizer, which they found through Navneet’s penalty corner in the final moments of the match.

In the end, both teams ended up with a draw.

The tournament has eight teams, and the best two from each of the two pools will make it to the Super 4s stage.

The leading two teams in the Super 4s will compete in the final on September 14.

The winners of the Asia Cup will secure a spot in the 2026 Women’s World Cup, which will take place in Belgium and the Netherlands.