Ordos, China: India's hopes to make the final of the women Asian Champions Trophy evaporated after losing 0-5 to Japan, largely due to mid-field lapses, here on Tuesday.
India, who suffered their second consecutive defeat in the hockey event, have no points and now play their last match against China on Thursday.
The women couldn't take any inspiration from men's brilliant 5-3 win over the Koreans as they struggled to play as an unit, losing balls needlessly in the midfield and not coming together when it mattered most in the Japanese striking circle.
Japanese players were not very impressive but they capitalised on India's mistakes and took advantage of the loose balls and numerous errors in the defence.
India were the first to force a penalty corner but couldn't find the goal to put the Japanese under pressure.
Japan, on the other hand, scored in the 16th minute when captain Yukari Yamamoto fired in a field goal.
India tried to forge a few moves through the middle not taking the usual flank way but the Japanese defence held firm.
India also held onto the ball too much, the forwards guilty of wayward passing and not giving the ball when teammates were in a better position. On a counter-attack, Japan got the second goal when Rika Komazawa fired in from the top of the circle.
At the break, Japan led 2-0.
After resumption, India seemed as if they would make a fight of it but yet again grouped into a bunch near the Japanese striking circle, making it easy for the Japanese defenders to clear the ball away to the sides and launch counter-attacks. Rika Komazawa got Japan's third goal in the 43rd minute when she deflected in a penalty corner.
By now, Japan spread the field and played along the flanks to get their fourth goal in the 52nd minute, Izuki Tanaka scoring from the top of the circle. With a minute to go, Japan took advantage of the gaps in the Indian defence as Toshie Tsuki trapped neatly in the Indian striking circle, dodged an Indian defender to fire in a hard shot for the fifth goal.
Indian coach CR Kumar was very disappointed with the way the team played.
"I am disappointed with the way they responded to the challenge," said Kumar. "It's a big score line and we couldn't captalise on the chances that we got."
Kumar believes that the team has the talent but would need exposure trips to hone their skills.
India now play their last group match against hosts China on Thursday. In an earlier match, China fought back from a 0-2 deficit to hold the strong Korean side 2-2.
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