Asian Games 2026: India beat Japan 3-1 to confirm semi-final berth

India Women's Hockey Team confirmed their semi-final berth at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games 2026 with a hard-fought 3-1 win over hosts Japan at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium in Kakamigahara on Friday. It was India's fourth consecutive victory in Pool B, with one pool game against Singapore still to play. India started with a full press despite the hot afternoon conditions and took the lead in the fifth minute when Lalremsiami finished after Navneet Kaur's initial hit was slowed down by a Japanese stick. India earned several penalty corners but failed to convert them in the opening quarter. Bichu Devi made a crucial save with her leg during a Japan counter-attack, and Maho Ueno's grounded flick went wide. In the second quarter, India controlled possession while Japan relied on counter-attacks. The lead was doubled in the 30th minute when Ishika converted the rebound after Navneet's direct penalty-corner attempt was saved. Navneet then produced a brilliant individual goal in the 36th minute, scooping the ball over the Japanese goalkeeper to make it 3-0. Japan pulled one back in the opening minute of the fourth quarter through Shiho Kobayakawa's tomahawk shot. India remained composed, created more chances, and defended a late penalty corner successfully. The full-time hooter confirmed a 3-1 victory and India's place in the semi-finals. India's campaign has been dominant, with 59 goals scored and only three conceded in four matches. However, the Japan match showed that India's penalty-corner conversion remains an area to improve, and defensive errors like Sushila's trapping mistake could be costly against stronger opponents in the knockout stage.