The Indian women's hockey team delivered a dominant performance defeating Japan 3-0 in their final group stage match of the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024 at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium. Securing this victory, India topped the group stage with a record of 5 consecutive wins in 5 matches played, scoring 26 goals and conceding only two. As India finished top of the table without dropping a point and confirmed their rematch with Japan in the Semi Final on 19 November.
Japan's defense was strong in the first half, but India's goals from Navneet Kaur (37') and Deepika (47', 48') secured the victory. Team India started slowly, dominated possession, but struggled to create chances. Deepika earned a penalty corner on six minutes to end the first quarter, but Japan's Yu Kudo saved. India showed urgency but failed to capitalize, ending goalless in the first quarter.
Japan attempted to break through India's defense in the second quarter, but neither team scored. India earned a penalty corner, but Japan made several saves. Despite efforts, the quarter ended on 0-0.
India started the third quarter with a strong attack, but Japan remained unfazed. Navneet Kaur's reverse shot broke the deadlock, and India eventually won 1-0. Japan moved to defense to equalize the score but both teams failed to grab a score in the last minutes of the third quarter.
In the last quarter, India took control with a penalty corner, and Deepika's powerful flick doubled their lead. India earned another penalty corner, securing a 3-0 victory.
