The Indian women's hockey team fought back from a two-goal deficit at half-time to draw 2-2 with Japan in their Group B encounter at the Rio Olympics on Sunday. India, ranked 13th in the world, would be satisfied with the result despite having to share points, considering their opponents were ranked three spots above them at 10th.
India had two close chances in first quarter via Preeti Dubey and Poonam Rani, but both missed the target. Japan took advantage of India's inaccuracy as Emi Nishikori scored in the dying seconds of the first quarter off a penalty corner. Japan then doubled their lead with less than three minutes to go in the second quarter via Mie Nakashima.
India looked down and out going into halftime, but returned with a renewed vigour in the third quarter. They were rewarded for it by a penalty corner, which was converted into a goal by Rani Rampal. India then equalised with five minutes to go in the quarter via a superb slap from Lilima Minz, again off a penalty corner. Japan asked for a referral, but lost it.
It was a tight fourth quarter that followed, as both teams threw the kitchen sink at each other. However, neither side could score a winner as the match ended 2-2. India's next match is against Great Britain on Tuesday at 2.30 am.
