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Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run in the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, defeating Japan 2-0 to enter the final in Rajgir on Tuesday. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 48th minute, while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in the 56th minute for India, who had plenty of scoring chances, including 13 penalty corners.India will face China, whom they defeated in the league stages, in the final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal. Malaysia will take on Japan in the third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.The Indians continued their attacking game and put on early pressure on the Japanese defense, just like the last league game. The play was mostly inside the Japanese half as the Indian defense was hardly tested. India had the first shot at the goal inside the initial five minutes, but skipper Salima Tete's attempt was thwarted by Japanese goalkeeper Yu Kudo.The Indians repeatedly penetrated the Japanese citadel and in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes, but Kudo was alert under the bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika. Three minutes into the second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find the back of the net.It was raining penalty corners for the hosts as they got back-to-back set pieces in the 21st minute, but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again. In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by another in the next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as they also lacked in execution.A minute after the change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both. In the 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece. In the 41st minute, Deepika stole the ball just outside the Japanese circle but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.Seconds from the end of the third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from another penalty corner. In the 47th minute, India secured their 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo. But a minute later, India broke the deadlock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika, and Navneet made no mistake.The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Indians as they scored a fine field goal in the 56th minute. Lalremsiami slammed into the back of the Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo's terrific run from the right flank. Japan got a penalty corner in the dying moments but failed to get past a rock-solid Indian defense.

India vs Japan: Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Semifinal PreviewIndia will face Japan in the semifinals of the Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on Thursday, November 19, at 4:45 PM IST. The match will be played in Rajgir, Bihar, and will be telecast live on Sony Sports network and streamed live on Sony LIV.India has been in impressive form throughout the tournament, winning all five of their group stage matches. They defeated Japan 3-0 in their final group stage encounter. Japan, on the other hand, finished second in their group with three wins and two losses.India will be looking to continue their unbeaten run and secure a place in the final. They have a strong team led by captain Savita Punia, who has been in excellent form in goal. Other key players for India include Vandana Katariya, Lalremsiami, and Gurjit Kaur.Japan will be hoping to cause an upset and reach the final. They have a talented team led by captain Yuri Nagai. Other key players for Japan include Yui Ishibashi, Hazuki Nagai, and Shihori Oikawa.The match is expected to be a close and exciting contest. India will be the favorites, but Japan will be determined to prove their worth. The winner of the match will advance to the final, where they will face the winner of the other semifinal between China and South Korea.

India's junior hockey team, led by defender Amir Ali, is gearing up for the upcoming Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Muscat, Oman, scheduled to commence on November 26, 2024. The team has a rich history in the tournament, having won it a record four times, including in 2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023.The tournament will feature 10 teams from across the continent, divided into two pools. India has been placed in Pool A alongside Chinese Taipei, Japan, Korea, and Thailand. Pool B consists of Bangladesh, Malaysia, China, Oman, and Pakistan.The tournament also serves as a qualifying event for next year's FIH Junior World Cup, and India has already secured its berth as the host nation. However, the team is determined to build on its recent success at the Sultan of Johor Cup, where they displayed impressive form.Rohit will serve as Amir Ali's deputy in the tournament. Coach P.R. Sreejesh expressed his satisfaction with the team's performance at the Sultan of Johor Cup, stating, "The Sultan of Johor Cup was a first-time experience for many of the players, yet they showed great spirit in doing well, and I am quite pleased with how they performed."The team has been working hard at the ongoing national camp in SAI, Bengaluru, and has made certain changes to its game to enhance its defensive capabilities and goal-scoring efficiency.Squad:Goalkeepers:* Princedeep Singh* Bikramjit SinghDefenders:* Amir Ali (C)* Talem Priyobarta* Shardanand Tiwari* Yogember Rawat* Anmol Ekka* Rohit (VC)Midfielders:* Ankit Pal* Manmeet Singh* Rosan Kujur* Mukesh Toppo* Thokchom Kingson SinghForwards:* Gurjot Singh* Sourabh Anand Kushwaha* Dilraj Singh* Arshdeep Singh* Araijeet Singh HundalAlternate Players:* Sukhvinder* Chandan Yadav

India continued its dominant run in the Asian Champions Trophy, securing a 3-0 victory over Japan in the final league match at the Rajgir Sports Complex. This triumph propelled India to the semifinals as table-toppers, setting up a potential rematch with Japan in the last four.Despite Japan's loss, they also booked a spot in the semifinals as the fourth-ranked side. This was India's sixth win over Japan in seven encounters, but Japan had emerged victorious in their last meeting earlier this year, scoring the lone goal to deny India an Olympic berth.That defeat had led to a major overhaul of the Indian team and coaching staff. While the Japanese team in this tournament is different, the heartbreak of that loss still lingered in the Indian players' minds.India's dominance was evident throughout the match, with Japan struggling to create any significant scoring opportunities. The Indian defense, led by goalkeeper Savita Punia, stood firm, denying Japan any clear shots on goal.India's offense, on the other hand, was relentless. Navneet Kaur broke the deadlock in the 37th minute with a reverse hit, capitalizing on a backpass from Lalremsiami. Deepika then converted two penalty corners in quick succession at the start of the final quarter, sealing the victory for India.In the other matches, China defeated Korea 2-0, while Malaysia secured a 2-0 win over Thailand. These results set up the semifinals, with India facing China and Malaysia taking on Japan.India's performance in this tournament has been a testament to the team's resilience and determination. After the disappointment of missing out on the Olympics, the team has regrouped and is now on the cusp of another title.

Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey expressed his pride and joy at Odisha's historic triumph in the senior National men's hockey championship. Born and raised in Sundargarh, a district renowned for its passion for hockey, Tirkey attributed the sport's popularity to the abundance of artificial pitches, sports hostels, and government support."Sundargarh has over a dozen artificial pitches and numerous sports hostels. The State Government provides significant support," Tirkey explained. "In fact, Odisha boasts the best infrastructure for hockey. Earlier, Odisha players played for private teams in the Nationals. Now, we have formed a formidable team."Tirkey emphasized the importance of the Nationals for Hockey India, acknowledging the need to review the tournament format. "We are discussing the need for a change. Some teams have conceded a lot of goals, which is not conducive to the future of Indian hockey," he said.Regarding the absence of current India players in the Nationals, Tirkey cited international tournaments and the upcoming Hockey India League as reasons for their rest. "We want our national players to participate in the Nationals. But with so many international events and the HIL, we wanted them to rest," he explained.Tirkey also addressed the role of Hockey India's High Performance Director in promoting grassroots talent. "We are organizing programs for boys and girls in various age groups. Our High Performance Director and his team are actively involved in scouting and development," he said.

Odisha and Haryana emerged victorious in the semifinals of the Hockey India-14th Senior National Championship, setting up a thrilling final on Saturday.Odisha, boasting several players from the national junior and senior camps, dominated Manipur throughout the match. Shilanand Lakra, who recently returned to the Indian senior team after knee surgery, played a pivotal role, scoring a goal and assisting another.Despite a competitive first half that ended 2-2, Odisha seized control in the fourth quarter. Prasad Kujjur tapped in a precise pass from Lakra, while Sudeep Chirmako unleashed a reverse flick to seal the victory.Meanwhile, Haryana faced a spirited challenge from Uttar Pradesh. Leading 3-0, Haryana appeared to be cruising to victory. However, a yellow card to Pardeep Mor in the final 10 minutes gave UP hope. Arun Sahani and Manish Yadav scored penalty corners to bring UP within striking distance.However, goalkeeper Pawan Malik produced several crucial saves to preserve Haryana's lead. Raman, Abhimanyu, and Rajinder Singh had earlier scored for Haryana.

Manipur's hockey team has defied all odds to reach the semifinals of the Hockey India-14th senior National men's championship in Chennai. Despite facing obstacles such as ethnic violence and financial constraints, the team has showcased remarkable resilience and determination.The team's journey began in October, when preparations were hampered by ongoing violence in Manipur. Practice sessions were frequently canceled, and the team's participation in the Nationals was uncertain due to lack of funds. However, through the support of well-wishers, including businessmen, individuals, and politicians, Manipur managed to secure the necessary resources to travel to Chennai.On the field, Manipur has played with a combination of skill, passion, and strategy. They upset Bengal in the group stage and then stunned defending champion Punjab in the quarterfinals. This victory was particularly sweet for Manipur, as they had lost to Punjab at the same stage last year.Midfielder Nilakanta Sharma, a Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist, has been a key figure for Manipur. He guided the younger players and provided valuable experience. Sharma emphasized the team's strong mentality and the importance of securing jobs for the players."It was very satisfying to reach the semifinals. My boys must get a job. That will be even more satisfying," said Sharma.Manipur's success has not only brought pride to the state but has also highlighted the challenges faced by athletes in conflict-ridden regions. The team's determination to overcome adversity serves as an inspiration to all who aspire to achieve their dreams.

The quarterfinal matches of the Hockey India-14th Senior National men's championship witnessed thrilling contests and unexpected upsets. After eight days of largely one-sided matches in the Group stage, the last-eight ties at the SDAT-Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium turned out to be nail-biting affairs.In the biggest upset of the tournament, Manipur, a North-Eastern state, stunned defending champion Punjab via a penalty shoot-out (3-3 in regulation time and 4-3 in shoot-out). Manipur's experienced players, including Olympians Nilakanta Sharma, Kothajit Singh, and Chinglensana Singh, played a crucial role in the victory.Another major upset occurred when Odisha entered its first semifinals with a hard-fought victory over Karnataka in a shoot-out (3-1). Odisha's Mangal Lohar, Shilanand Lakra, and Pratap Lakra scored the goals in the shoot-out.Haryana, the two-time champion and last year's finalist, staged a remarkable comeback to script a 5-1 win over Maharashtra. Trailing 0-1 till the third quarter, Haryana scored all its five goals in the fourth quarter, with Rohit scoring a hat-trick.The host team, Uttar Pradesh, defeated Tamil Nadu 3-1 to secure a place in the semifinals. Chandan Singh, Rajkumar Pal, and Lalit Kumar Upadhyay scored for UP.The semifinals will be played on Friday, with UP taking on Haryana and Manipur clashing with Odisha. The final is scheduled for Saturday.

Defending champions India commenced their campaign at the Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament in Rajgir with a resounding 4-0 victory over Malaysia on Monday, November 11, 2024. The Indian team showcased their dominance throughout the match, scoring goals at crucial moments to secure the win.Sangita Kumari opened the scoring for India in the 8th minute, giving her team an early lead. The Malaysian defense struggled to contain the Indian attack, and Preeti Dubey extended India's advantage in the 43rd minute. Udita followed suit just a minute later, making it 3-0 for India. Sangita Kumari sealed the victory with her second goal in the 55th minute, completing a comprehensive performance by the Indian team.In other matches of the day, Japan and Korea played out a thrilling 2-2 draw, while Olympic silver medallist China displayed their prowess with a dominant 15-0 victory over Thailand. The tournament promises to be an exciting affair, with several top teams vying for the title.India will next face South Korea on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, in their second match of the tournament. The Indian team will be aiming to continue their winning streak and strengthen their position at the top of the standings.