The Indian hockey team fought back from a goal down twice to draw their second Women’s Asia Cup 2025 match 2-2 with Japan at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Hockey Field in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, on Saturday.
For India, 10th in the women’s hockey rankings, both the goals were equalising goals and were scored by Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (30’) and Navneet Kaur (60’). Defending champions and world No. 12, Japan’s goals were scored by Hiroka Murayama (10’) and Chiko Fujibayashi (58’).
The result means India are unbeaten so far in the tournament, having won their first game against Thailand 11-0 on Friday. After the round-robin phase, the top two from each pool will progress to the Super 4s, which will decide the finalists. India are drawn in Pool B with Japan, Thailand and Singapore.
It was a quick start from India as Japan did their best to thwart their attacks. However, Japan’s resistance eventually paid off as they drew first blood when Hiroka Murayama found the back of the net to round off a sweeping move. Japan led 1-0 and kept India at bay for the remainder of the first quarter.
After the breather, India went on the attack in the hunt for the equaliser, although Japan were not giving anything away. However, in the final minutes of the first half, India found a way through as Rutuja Dadaso Pisal scored and made it 1-1 at half-time.
The second half started with both sides taking a watchful approach in their bid not to concede momentum. India were looking to get their noses out in front, having finished the first half strongly, while Japan’s disciplined defensive unit held on. The third quarter saw both teams trade punches and go into the break with the scores at 1-1.
In the final quarter, both teams upped the ante in attack as they were looking for the crucial winner. However, it was Japan’s pressure that paid off initially as they got the goal a few minutes before the final hooter.
A penalty stroke fell to Chiko Fujibayashi and she smashed home to make it 2-1 with barely any time left. However, India gave it their all as they went in search of a late equaliser and it came in the form of Navneet Kaur from a penalty corner in the dying moments of the game.
Eventually, both teams shared the spoils with the scores at 2-2 at the hooter. India will face Singapore next in the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament on Monday.