India thwarted a late fightback from their Asian Games nemesis Japan to safe a 2-1 victory and inch nearer to the semi-final spot on the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup in Valencia on Monday. Salima Tete gave India a fifth minute lead when she tackled two Japanese defenders with a change of path contained in the D earlier than slotting the ball previous Eika Nakamura with a cool-headed end. Jharkhand teenager Beauty Dungdung then scored her first International aim on the senior stage with an outstanding effort as she emerged by way of a resolute Japanese hustle to fit the ball within the fortieth minute.

Japan made a robust fightback within the remaining quarter and it was Rui Takashima who pulled one again within the forty ninth minute however India managed to carry on to safe their second win from as many video games. India defeated Chile 3-1 of their opening match of Pool B within the eight-nation match.

The Savita Punia-led facet now has six factors from two video games to guide Pool B.

They will want a draw towards South Africa of their concluding league match right here on December 14 to seal their last-four berth.

India began the match with a flurry of assaults and it was Player-of-the-Match Tete who lastly gave them the upperhand with an outstanding end.

They may have simply obtained a number of extra however their penalty nook conversions remained a headache for the Janneke Schopman-coached facet.

India obtained 9 makes an attempt from PC however none of them may very well be transformed as their designated dragflicker Gurjit Kaur as soon as once more lower a sorry determine. India had misplaced 1-2 to Japan to accept a silver medal within the 2018 Asian Games.

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