India finish last in women's hockey

The Indian women's hockey team completed their disastrous campaign in the Asian Games going down 0-2 to Japan in the bronze medal match in Busan on Friday.

India, winner of the gold medal in the Manchester Commonwealth Games and silver medallist in the last Asiad in Bangkok, finished the four-nation tournament winless, losing all their four matches.

For Japan both the goals were scored by striker Sakae Morimoto, one in each half, in the 29th and 44th minutes.

This was India's second loss to Japan, after going down 2-3 in the league phase.

But for the display of individual brilliance by few of the Indians, the team lacked cohesion as the Japanese, who upset Champions Trophy winners China in the league phase, managed to hold fort.

Japanese goalkeeper Rie Terazano was also excellent under the bar and foiled a number of Indian attempts on goal.

Though the Indian midfield worked hard and the two wingers Anjum Saba and Mamta Kharb were excellent, both the forwards, Jyoti Kullu and Maimon Saggai, were found wanting.

After a few raids into the Japan area, Pritam Siwach earned India's first penalty-corner in the 12th minute but the effort failed to beat Terazono. It was the same story four minutes later as the Indians failed to make use of the second penalty corner also.

India then slowed the pace of the match and this allowed Japan to regroup. Yuka Ogura came in menancingly and took a shot on the run but the alert Indian custodian Tingolima Chanu effected a good save.

Japan took the lead against the run of play following a quick counter attack in the 29th minute. Chie Kimura put in Morimoto with a long pass and the Japanese striker beat Chanu with a neat deflection.

Defenders Amandeep Kaur and Suman Bala were partly to blame as they were slow to react and failed to intercept Morimoto.

The second half went Japan's way and their game plan to increase the lead and then defend it ectly.

Japan's second goal came in the 44th minute and once again it came from a defensive lapse. The crafty Morimoto, allowed a free run and left unmarked, sounded the boards with a rasping shot to shut the door on India.