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India

India went down to Japan 2-3 while China held defending champions Korea to a goalless draw on the second day of the 4th Asian Women's under-21 hockey tournament at the Gachibowli indoor stadium on Sunday.

A poor Indian defence was exploited by the Japanese to the hilt with Sasaki Ai opening the account in the 5th minute and Akutsu Chie increasing the lead in the 19th minute as the hosts were mere spectators at the goal post.

Ohmura Megtumi scored a gem of a goal by converting a penalty corner beating the Indian custodian hands down to increase the marging to 3-0 at half time.

Jasjeet Handa provided the saving grace by hitting a delightful stroke from top of the 'D' beating two defenders in the 54th minute to score the first goal while Deepika deflected the pass of Jasjeet in the 68th minute penalty corner to reduce the margin.

Indians squandered away as many as three chances right at the goal mouth and the saddest part was Handa Jasjeet failing to convert a penalty stroke.

The Sino Korean encounter was a thrilling affair and the first half of the encounter ended in a goalless draw, at the hooter with defending champions Korea and last year runner-up China locking horns in a fierce battle.

The two teams wasted two penalty corners each in the first half with Korea unleashing aggression in the initial stages which was effectively checked by the Chinese who had good control over the ball in the later part of the game.

China was awarded two penalty corners in successive minutes which were squandered away while the Koreans too made feeble efforts but could not make much of the two chances in the later part of the game.

Jin Ok Jeong and Eum Mi Young were the two Korean players who had shown remarkable techique while Kim Ji Eun was totally boxed by the Chinese who had shown better defence.

Jin Yue, Shang Chun Hong and Li Dan Ping provided solid defence for China and did not allow the Koreans to come into the game.

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