India will play China in the final of Women’s Asia Cup Hockey as they entered the final by defeating host Japan in the semifinals. In a closely contested semi-final India went up against Japan by 4-2. In-form Gurjit Kaur, Navjot Kaur and Lairemsiami scored the goals for India. This is the 4th time India will play the final of Asia Cup. India won the title in 2004 and finished runners-up in 1999 and 2009.
Gurjit gave India their first goal by converting a penalty corner in the 7th minute. In the 9th minute, that scoreline became 2-0 as Navjot added a fine field goal and Gurjit slotted in her second goal of the match. Japan recovered to make it 2-3 at half-time. The third quarter saw Lalremsiami score her first goal of the tournament to put India ahead 4-2.
India met China in the 2009 final in which they were beaten 5-3. The winner of this year’s edition will qualify for the 2018 World Cup in England.
