India booked its place in the women’s hockey semifinals at the Asian Games 2026 with a 3-1 victory over host Japan in its penultimate Pool B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Friday.
Goals from Lalremsiami Hmarzote, Ishika Chaudhary and Navneet Kaur helped India maintain its perfect record in the tournament. Shiho Kobayakawa scored Japan’s only goal.
The result gave India its fourth victory in as many matches and took its tally to 12 points, guaranteeing a top-two finish in Pool B. Japan remains second with nine points.
Thailand can also finish with 12 points by winning its remaining fixtures. However, with Thailand and Japan set to meet in their final pool match, only one of those teams can potentially finish level with India.
India made a bright start and was rewarded with an early opening goal. Navneet tested Japan goalkeeper Yu Kudo, who managed to make the initial save, but Lalremsiami reacted quickly to the loose ball and converted the rebound.
Japan looked for a response later in the first quarter and earned a Penalty Corner. Maho Ueno directed an effort towards goal, but Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia made the save to preserve the lead.
India stepped up the pressure during the second quarter and found its second goal shortly before the half-time break. Navneet’s attempt from a Penalty Corner was stopped, but Ishika was well positioned to put away the rebound and make it 2-0.
Navneet, who had been involved in both of India’s first-half goals, added her name to the scoresheet in the third quarter. She worked her way through the Japanese defence before finishing to give India a commanding three-goal advantage.
Japan finally found a way past the Indian defence early in the fourth quarter. Kobayakawa produced a powerful tomahawk finish to reduce the deficit and give the home side hope of a late comeback.
India, however, handled Japan’s pressure during the closing stages and protected its two-goal advantage to complete a 3-1 victory and confirm its semifinal qualification.
India will finish its Pool B schedule against Singapore on Sunday as it looks to complete the group stage with a perfect record.
The Indian women’s team is aiming to improve on its performance from the previous Asian Games in Hangzhou in 2023, where it finished with the bronze medal.
