FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup: India beats Japan 2-1

In Hockey, the Indian hockey team continued its winning run in the Women's FIH Nations Cup 2022 with a 2-1 victory over Asian champions Japan in its second match of Pool B in Valencia, Spain on Monday. India beat Chile 3-1 in their opening match on Sunday and with a win over Japan, India now just need to avoid defeat against South Africa in their final pool fixture for a place in the semi-finals. Salima Tete gave India a fifth minute lead when she tackled two Japanese defenders with a change of direction inside the D before slotting the ball past Eika Nakamura with a cool-headed finish. Jharkhand teenager Beauty Dungdung then scored her first International goal at the senior level with a superb effort as she emerged through a resolute Japanese hustle to slot the ball in the 40th minute.

Japan made a strong fightback in the final quarter and it was Rui Takashima who pulled one back in the 49th minute but India managed to hold on to secure its second win from as many games. With two wins, India are placed on top of Pool B with six points while in Pool A, hosts Spain lead the points table after two successive wins. The top two teams from each of the two groups will qualify for the semi-finals. The eventual winner of the Women’s FIH Nations Cup will be promoted to the FIH Pro League’s 2023-24 season.