Heartbreak for Indian Women’s Hockey: Loss to Japan in Paris Olympics Qualifiers

The Indian women’s hockey team faced disappointment in their bid to qualify for the Paris Olympics 2024, as they narrowly lost 0-1 to Japan in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 3/4th Place Playoff match held in Ranchi on January 19. Kana Urata’s decisive goal in the sixth minute of the first quarter, from a penalty shootout, secured Japan’s place in the Olympics.

Despite India’s efforts to level the score, with more penalty corners, possession, and applied pressure, they were unable to find the back of the net. Japan’s solid defense, led by goalkeeper Akio Tanaka, proved crucial as they maintained a slender 1-0 lead. Tanaka’s standout performance contributed to Japan securing a third-place finish in the FIH Olympic Qualifiers 2024 and earning their spot in the Paris Olympics.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *