The Indian women's hockey team has secured a spot in the Asia Cup final, despite a 1-1 draw against Japan. Their qualification was made possible after host nation China defeated Korea 1-0 in the final Super 4 stage match on Saturday, September 13. With this result, India will now face China in the title clash on Sunday, September 14. The winner of this final will not only be crowned Asia Cup champions but will also earn a place in next year's World Cup, to be held in Belgium and the Netherlands.
China’s win over Korea sets up India’s final entry in Women's Asia Cup hockey
India's spot in the Women's Asia Cup 2025 final was contingent on the outcome of the match between China and Korea. India needed China to either win or lose by a margin of fewer than three goals to advance. As it turned out, China delivered exactly the result India, the third-place finishers in the 2022 edition, was hoping for, securing their place in the final.
China finished at the top of the Super 4s table with a perfect nine points, while India secured second place with four points. Korea and Japan finished third and fourth, respectively, with one and two points each.
In the match against Japan, India took an early lead through a field goal from Beauty Dung Dung in the seventh minute. However, Japan managed to find an equalizer late in the game, with Kobayakawa Shiho scoring just two minutes before the final whistle.
This 1-1 draw was the second time India and Japan had played to a tie in the tournament, as their earlier pool-stage match also ended in a 2-2 draw. A victory against Japan would have immediately secured India's spot in the final against China. Instead, India had to anxiously await the outcome of the final Super 4 match between China and Korea. The Harendra Singh-coached side eventually got the result they needed, advancing to the final.
India started the match on the front foot, with Ishika Chaudhary threatening early by hitting the goal frame. Japan attempted to mount some attacks, but India's defense held firm, and Beauty Dung Dung scored to give India the lead.
In the second quarter, Japan came out determined to find an equalizer and earned a penalty corner. However, India's defense remained strong and successfully thwarted the attempt. As the match continued, India began to regain control of possession and started building their own attacking moves.
Japan's defense successfully held off India's attacks in the first half, even managing to put pressure on India in the final minutes. Despite this, India's defense stood strong, and they entered halftime with a 1-0 lead. In the final quarter, Japan ramped up their attack in search of an equaliser. India responded by moving up the field and earning a series of penalty corners, shifting the pressure back onto Japan.
With just two minutes left in the game, Japan finally broke through. Captain Amiru Shimada drove down the left side and sent the ball into the circle. In the ensuing scramble, Shiho Kobayakawa was the fastest to react, sweeping the ball past Bichu Devi to level the score. In the final moments of the match, India pushed hard, even earning a penalty corner. However, Japan's defense held firm, and the match ended in a draw with both teams sharing the points.