Shillong: India’s women’s hockey team punched a ticket to the Asian Games final on Wednesday. They downed South Korea 2-0 in Nagoya. This win puts India one victory away from its first gold medal since the 1982 New Delhi games. It ends a 44-year wait for a top finish.
The Indians controlled the pace early. They hammered the Korean half, earning eight penalty corners during the first two quarters alone. Korean goalkeeper Seoyeon Lee stood her ground. She blocked a flick from Deepika in the second minute and denied Rutuja Dadaso Pisal in the 13th. The Korean defense stayed tough through the opening half, leaving the scoreboard blank.
India finally broke through in the 44th minute. Ishika Chaudhary tapped in a deflection off a penalty corner variation to put her team ahead. Skipper Salima Tete followed up four minutes later with a solo run from the right to bury a field goal. The 2-0 lead held firm until the final whistle. Despite the win, the team struggled to convert set pieces, wasting two more in the 57th minute.
India now looks to Friday’s final against China. The defending champions reached this stage by beating Japan 4-2 in a shoot-out after a scoreless draw. Following their loss, the South Korean team prepares to face Japan for the bronze medal. Reflecting on the missed opportunities despite the win, the reporting noted it was a "woeful show by the Indians from penalty corners" as they failed to capitalize on multiple set pieces throughout the match.
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