Auckland [New Zealand], June 16 (ANI): The Indian Women’s Hockey Team defeated Japan 2-1 in their second Pool A match of the FIH Hockey Women’s Nations Cup New Zealand 2026 on Tuesday at the North Harbour National Hockey Centre in Auckland to secure a place in the semi-finals, having won both their pool games so far.
Captain and ‘Player of the Match’ Salima Tete (33’) and Lalremsiami (49’) scored for India, while Hiramitsu Ai (35’) netted Japan’s only goal.
The first half remained tightly contested, with both sides creating chances but failing to break the deadlock before half-time. India took the lead in the third quarter in the 33rd minute through a well-worked penalty corner variation. Navneet Kaur’s strike was deflected perfectly to Salima Tete by Nikki Pradhan, and the captain finished clinically to put India ahead.
Japan responded quickly, equalising two minutes later through Hiramitsu Ai (35’) from a penalty corner.
With the match finely poised in the final quarter, India found the winner in the 49th minute. Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam delivered an incisive pass into the circle, which was deflected in by Lalremsiami to secure victory.
The win keeps India unbeaten at the top of Pool A with six points from victories over the USA and Japan. India will next face Uruguay in their final pool match on June 18 at 4:15 am IST, while Japan and the USA will compete for the second semi-final spot from Pool A. (ANI)
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