India’s women’s hockey team booked its place in the Asian Games 2026 semifinals with a 3-1 victory over hosts Japan in Kakamigahara on Friday, September 25. Lalremsiami, Ishika and Navneet Kaur scored for India as Salima Tete’s side extended its winning run to four matches in Pool B.
The result confirmed India’s progress to the knockout stage with one pool match still remaining. India will complete its Pool B campaign against Singapore on September 27 before turning its attention to the semifinals on September 30.
India Strike Early Against Hosts Japan
India started aggressively at the Kawasaki Juko Stadium despite hot afternoon conditions, pressing Japan high up the pitch and creating opportunities almost immediately.
Neha had an early reverse-hit effort go wide before Navneet Kaur found space from the right but could only send her attempt into the side netting. The pressure eventually produced the opening goal in the fifth minute.
Navneet’s initial strike was slowed by a Japanese stick inside the circle, allowing Lalremsiami to gather the loose ball and beat goalkeeper Yu Kudo to put India 1-0 ahead.
Japan attempted to respond on the counter and forced goalkeeper Bichu Devi into action, but India maintained its advantage through the opening quarter.
Ishika Doubles India’s Lead Before Half-Time
India continued to control possession during the second quarter while Japan looked for opportunities on the break.
The hosts remained within one goal for most of the half, but India found the crucial second just before the interval.
A penalty-corner attempt from Navneet was saved, but Ishika reacted quickly to the rebound and converted in the 30th minute. India therefore went into half-time with a 2-0 advantage.
The second goal gave India greater control heading into the second half and rewarded a disciplined performance through midfield and defence.
Navneet Kaur Makes It 3-0
India needed only six minutes after the restart to extend the lead further.
Navneet Kaur received the ball inside the circle in the 36th minute, shifted to her right and lifted her effort over the Japanese goalkeeper for India’s third goal of the match.
The goal capped a productive display for Navneet, who had already been involved in several of India’s most dangerous attacking moves.
Ishika and Rutuja also threatened to add another goal during the third quarter, while captain Salima Tete created another opportunity for Navneet. Japan goalkeeper Yu Kudo prevented the deficit from increasing.
Japan Pull One Back, but India Hold Firm
Japan finally found a way past the Indian defence in the opening minute of the fourth quarter.
Shiho Kobayakawa scored with a tomahawk in the 46th minute, reducing India’s advantage to 3-1 and briefly giving the home side hope of a comeback.
India, however, stayed composed.
Navneet came close again from a penalty corner, while Lalremsiami narrowly missed another opportunity following a move involving Baljeet. At the opposite end, goalkeeper Savita Punia made an important save after Japan capitalised on an Indian turnover.
India saw out the closing minutes without further damage to complete the 3-1 victory.
Four Wins in Four for India at Asian Games 2026
The Japan result extended India’s perfect Pool B record to four victories from four matches.
India opened its campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan before defeating Indonesia 17-1. A 20-1 victory against Thailand followed, giving India three high-scoring wins before the tougher test against hosts Japan.
The Japan game was markedly closer than India’s opening three fixtures, but the result demonstrated the team’s ability to protect a lead against stronger opposition after establishing an early advantage.
India’s four Pool B results so far are:
- India 19-0 Uzbekistan
- India 17-1 Indonesia
- India 20-1 Thailand
- India 3-1 Japan
India vs Singapore Next
India still have one Pool B fixture remaining despite already confirming their semifinal place.
Salima Tete’s team will face Singapore on Sunday, September 27, with Hockey India’s official schedule listing the match for 3:30 PM IST.
The women’s hockey semifinals are scheduled for September 30, although India’s opponent has not yet been confirmed. The gold-medal and bronze-medal matches are scheduled for October 2.
Key Facts
Result: India 3-1 Japan
Competition: Asian Games 2026 women’s hockey
Venue: Kawasaki Juko Stadium, Kakamigahara, Japan
India scorers: Lalremsiami (5'), Ishika (30'), Navneet Kaur (36')
Japan scorer: Shiho Kobayakawa (46')
India’s record: Four wins from four Pool B matches
Next match: India vs Singapore, September 27
Semifinals: September 30
Why the Japan Win Matters
Japan represented India’s most demanding opponent of the tournament so far after three comfortable victories against Uzbekistan, Indonesia and Thailand.
Rather than relying on another high-scoring performance, India had to manage a more competitive contest, respond to Japanese counter-attacks and defend its advantage after conceding early in the final quarter.
Most importantly, the victory removed any uncertainty surrounding India’s progression and secured a semifinal berth before the final pool fixture.
What Happens Next?
India will now look to complete the group stage unbeaten when they face Singapore.
After that, the focus moves to the September 30 semifinal, where the stakes will rise significantly as India compete for a place in the Asian Games gold-medal match.
The identity of India’s semifinal opponent will be determined once the remaining pool matches are completed.
FAQs
Who scored for India against Japan at Asian Games 2026?
Lalremsiami scored in the fifth minute, Ishika in the 30th and Navneet Kaur in the 36th as India won 3-1.
Has India qualified for the women’s hockey semifinals?
Yes. The victory over Japan confirmed India’s place in the Asian Games 2026 semifinals with one Pool B match still remaining.
Who scored Japan’s goal against India?
Shiho Kobayakawa scored Japan’s only goal in the 46th minute.
When is India’s next women’s hockey match?
India face Singapore on September 27 at 3:30 PM IST in their final Pool B fixture.
When are the Asian Games women’s hockey semifinals?
The two women’s hockey semifinals are scheduled for September 30, 2026.