India Beat Japan 2-0, To Face China In Final Of Women's Asian Champions Trophy

Defending champions India continued ir unbeaten run and defeated Japan 2-0 to enter final of women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.

Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in 48th minute while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in 56th minute for India, who h plenty of scoring chances including 13 penalty corners.

India will face China, whom y defeated in league stages, in final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in first semifinal.

Malaysia will take on Japan in third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in fifth-sixth place classification match.

Indians continued ir attacking game and put on early pressure on Japanese defence, just like last league game.

play was mostly inside Japanese half as Indian defence was hardly tested.

India h first shot at goal inside initial five minute. Skipper Salima Tete's attempt was thwarted by Japanse goalkeeper Yu Kudo.

Indians repeatedly penetrated Japanese citel and in process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes but Kudo was alert under bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika.

Three minutes into second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find back of net.

It was raining penalty corners for hosts as y got back-to-back set pieces in 21st minute but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again.

In 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by anor in next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as y also lacked in execution.

A minute after change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both.

In 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece.

In 41st minute, Deepika stole ball just outside Japanese circle, but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.

Seconds from end of third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from anor penalty corner.

In 47th minute, India secured ir 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo.

But a minute later, India broke delock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika and Navneet me no mistake.

goal seemed to have rejuvenated Indians as y scored a fine field goal in 56th minute.

Lalremsiami slammed into back of Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo's terrific run from right flank.

Japan got a penalty corner in dying moments, but failed to get past a rock solid Indian defence.