India vs Japan HIGHLIGHTS, FIH Olympic Qualifiers, 3rd/4th place playoff: IND loses to JPN 0-1, loses Paris 2024 quota chance

Japan makes it count when needed as the team manages to defend its one goal lead and secure a spot in the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Salima Tete tries to score but the ball is inches close of Navneet and Jyothi who are near the goal post.

India try to attack from the left flank as Japan refers. Yet another successful referral for Japan.

Green card for Chiko Fujibayashi due to rough tackle. She would face a two minute suspension.

Two consecutive PCs for India. However, Japan refers. And is successful as a free hit is awarded.

Akio Tanaka saves the ball but India feel that the ball was dangerous and appeal for a referral.

Japan makes a circle entry but India steals one. Salima to Lalremsiami, who passes it onto Sonika, who tries to score but Japanese defence makes it close to impossible to score.

PC for India as Navneet passes it into the circle as Lalremsiami gets a dangerous ball. Deepika fails to make it count. 

Udita passes from her half and attempts to pass onto the Deepika, who fails to grab the opportunity.

Japan reviews a PC for India given due to a foot intrusion. Japan wins the referral. India gets a bully. 

Salima injects the PC, it’s not a clean trap by the Indians whose batteries seemed confused.

Mokia hits one onto Chiko’s foot inside the circle and its a PC. 

India asks for a foot inside the circle. PC for India, Udita flicks the ball but Hazuki Nagai saves it with her body. Another PC awarded to India which is easily deflected.

Oikawa intercepts an important ball passed inside her circle and long corner given to India. 

PC for Japan, Yu Asai flicks it but Ishika defends it. Japan doesnt think so as they feel the deflection off the ball was due to Ishika’s foot. Japan hasnt lost its referral as no advice possible.

PC to India, Deepika shoots on target but Eika Nakamura manages to save the ball with ease.

Salima and Lalremsiami seem to connect and a pass to Navneet is tackled by Yu Asai.

Long corner for India as Lalremsiami tries to enter the Japanese circle but the ball goes out of the baseline as the Japanese defenders push the ball away.

India starts the ball rolling in the third quarter, however, Japanese interception takes the ball away from its grasp.

At the end of first half, Japan leads 1-0 after the first quarter goal with India needing two goals to restore parity and lead in the game.

Lalremsiami passes it to Salima inside the circle but Aimi Kobayashi’s tackle prevents her from deflection one onto the goal.

Ishika tries to lob a pass to Vaishnavi, who attempts to deflect one onto the goal. 

Japan’s backline defence makes it hard for the Indian to continue passing with continuous interceptions by the Japanese.

Neha receives the green card for fouling while tackling the captain Yuri Nagai. 

Long corner given to India as Deepika attacks using the left flank, but the circle entry is unsuccessful due to the Japanese interception. 

Amiru Shimada’s leg hits the ball and its a PC for India. Deepika flicks it but this time its saved by Tanaka, as the ball hits the bar and goes out.

A bad tackle by Japan in its circle leads to a PC. Deepika flicks but Hazuki Nagai ‘s save keeps the ball away from its circle.

Udita mistrapped the aerial ball and Japan earns a PC as an Indian foot hits the ball in the circle. A misinjection by Japan sees Savita save the ball with ease and speed.

Japan have switched goalkeepers with Akio Tanaka taking Eika Nakamura’s spot.

Sangita tries to launch an attack in the right corner but is intercepted by Rika Ogawa.

A very close goal attempt made by the Indian is unsuccessful as the deflection inside the circle doesnt go as per plan. 

Sakurako Omoto is on the upper hand with the ball inside the circle, but is tackled by the Indian defence and tries to shoot one off wide. 

Deepika and Sonika attempt a circle entry with an attempt to equalise, however, it goes wide.

Second penalty corner earned by Japan. Kana Urata scores off PC as Savita seems to confused and the ball goes past the Indian captain. JAPAN LEADS 1-0

Japan wins the first penalty corner of the match. However, is unable to convert it.

Japan almost scores one in the few minutes, but Savita’s save puts the ball outside the circle. Salima Tete in the right runs into the circle with Sangita following on. However they are intercepted by a strong Japanese defence.

Udita tries to start a counterattack, but is intercepted by Japan.

Both teams remain unchanged since the semifinal. India to set the ball rolling.

Japan and India enter the field and take centre stage for the national anthem

Janneke Schopman- Physically the girls would be ready. We want to go again. Japan is a good team, we know them very well.

Jude Menezes- Scoring first will be of big help (to quieten the crowd). But we want to focus on our game

India -14 | Draw- 3 | Japan- 14

The last time the two teams faced each other, India defeated Japan 4-0 at the Asian Champions Trophy 2023. In fact, in the past five occasions the two battled India came out as the stronger team.

Group Stage-

Won 2-0 vs Czech Republic

Drew 1-1 vs Germany

Won 2-0 vs Chile

Semifinal-

Lost 1-2 vs USA

Group Stage-

Lost 0-1 vs USA 

Won 3-1 vs New Zealand

Won 5-1 vs Italy

Semifinal-

Lost 2-2(3-4 shootout) vs Germany

Eika Nakamura (GK), Yu Asai, Miyu Suzuki, Yuri Nagai, Hazuki Nagai, Shihori Oikawa, Mai Toriyama, Amiru Shimada, Aimi Kobayashi, Miyu Hasegawa

Savita Punia (GK), Monika, Nikki Pradhan, Sangita Kumari, Nisha, Udita, Lalremsiami, Jyoti, Navneet Kaur, Salima Tete, Neha.

The India vs Japan FIH Women’s Olympic Qualifiers third place match will be telecast live on Sports18 from 4:30PM IST.

The match can also be live streamed on JioCinema.