India’s women’s hockey team overcame a stubborn Korean defence to secure a 2-0 victory and book its place in the final at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Wednesday.
India controlled the majority of the semifinal but had to wait until late in the contest for the breakthrough. Ishika finally opened the scoring in the 44th minute before Salima Tete helped double the advantage four minutes later.
The result sets up a final against defending champion and Paris silver medallist China, which defeated Japan 4-2 in a shoot-out after the other semifinal ended goalless in regulation time.
India will head into Friday’s title clash with more than the trophy at stake. Having lost to China in the semifinal last time before finishing with bronze, the team will have an opportunity to avenge that defeat while also chasing a ticket to the Los Angeles Olympics.
India began aggressively against Korea and earned the first of its 10 penalty corners in the fourth minute. Deepika attempted to convert the early opportunity, but her effort was saved.
That became a familiar pattern as the match progressed. India repeatedly earned penalty corners and spent much of the game inside the Korean half, only to find the opposition defence difficult to break down.
Korea largely focused on protecting its goal and offered little attacking threat for much of the contest. Despite dominating possession and creating opportunities, India struggled to find the finishing touch needed to take the lead.
The breakthrough eventually arrived from India’s eighth penalty corner in the 44th minute. Ishika got on the end of a well-placed pass and produced a reverse deflection to finally beat the Korean defence.
India needed only four more minutes to establish a two-goal cushion. Tete sent a cross into the circle from the right, with the ball taking a deflection off a Korean defender’s stick before crossing the goal line.
Facing a 2-0 deficit, Korea finally pushed forward in search of a response and managed to create some late pressure. Three successive penalty corners offered an opportunity to get back into the contest, but goalkeeper Savita Punia ensured there would be no comeback.
China faced an equally difficult challenge in the other semifinal, with Japan holding the defending champion scoreless throughout regulation time. China eventually prevailed 4-2 in the shoot-out.
India and China will now meet in Friday’s final, with both teams known for a more open attacking approach and India seeking to turn its dominant semifinal performance into the title.
