Indian women hockey team's Olympic hopes hopes in ruins after loss to Japan

Paris will remain out of bounds for Indian womens hockey team that eschewed its crisp shortpassing game to bow of 2024 Olympic qualification race with a 01 loss to Japan in the thirdplace match of FIH Qualifiers on FridayKana Uratas sixth minute strike from the penalty corner turned out to be the winner for Japan as the wheels that were set in motion for the Indian womens team following a momentous fourthplace finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 seemed to have come off after the utterly disappointing show in one of its hubs in recent yearsThe top three sides from this tournament qualified for the Paris Olympics By finishing third Japan booked their berthGermany and USA who will play in the final later in the evening are the other two sides to have sealed their placesJapan were the early aggressor as they exerted pressure on the Indian defence and in the process had the first scoring chance but an alert Indian skipper Savita in front of the goal came out rushing to kick away the loose ball in the second minuteThe Indians played catchup as they failed to threaten the Japanese goal despite making some fine circle penetrationsJapan kept up the pressure and secured their first penalty corner minutes later but the Indians defended wellTwo minutes later India conceded another soft penalty corner and this time Urata found the back of the net through the legs of Savita with a grounded flickThe Indian backline was put under tremendous pressure by the Japanese with some defencesplitting dangerous crosses but the hosts somehow managed to hold onIn the 12th minute India had their first real chance Monika created the opportunity with a fine cross from the right flank but Lalremsiamis deflection went over the barAs has been the case in this tournament the Indians were guilty of not using both the flanks It was predictable hockey from the Savitaled side as they tried to build most of their attacks from the right flankAlso ReadThe marvel that is Rohit SharmaThe Indians allowed Japan to control the proceedings as they strayed away from their strength that is playing attacking hockeyJapan continued from where they left in the first quarter and secured their third set piece just after the restartThe Indians however got some momentum in the second quarter securing two penalty corners in quick successionFirst Lalremsiami created the opportunity with a fine 3D skills but Deepikas effort was saved by Japan goalkeeper Eika NakamuraSeconds later India earned another set piece but once again Deepika failed to breach the Japanese defenceThe Indian players didnt show any intent to win 5050 balls They also seemed to have run out of ideas and mostly tried to hit the ball from the 30 yard circle instead of opting for crisp short passes which is their strengthTrailing 01 the Indians came out attacking after the change of ends and made a few good moves but goals eluded themSix minute into the third quarter of the FIH Qualifiers India secured another penalty corner but Deepika failed to get past Nakamura in front of Japan goalMinutes later Japan managed to get a set piece but the Indians defended well to stay in the huntChances came thick and fast for India in the form of penalty corners as they secured backtoback set pieces in the 43rd minute but Udita Duhan failed to break the Japanese defence with her slap shotJapan were put under tremendous pressure by the Indians in the third quarter with repeated forays The home teams tactics worked as it secured another penalty corner seconds from the final break but once again the lack of execution did them inIt was complete domination from the Indians after the change of ends but that did not translate into goalsIndia earned as many as nine penalty corners in the entire 60 minutes but their perennial problem of conversion continuedIn the last 11 minutes of the game India secured three penalty corners but Deepika and Uditas poor record continuedA minute and a half from the final hooter an unmarked Salima Tete got the best chance for India to equalise but with only the goalkeeper to beat she shot wideWith agency inputs