Ranchi, January 19

Paris will remain out of bounds for the Indian women’s hockey team that eschewed its crisp, short-passing game to bow of the 2024 Olympics qualification race with a 0-1 loss to Japan in the third-place match of qualifiers here today.

Kana Urata’s sixth-minute strike from the penalty corner turned out to be the winner for Japan as the wheels that were set in motion for the Indian team, following a momentous fourth-place finish at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, seemed to have come off after the utterly disappointing show in one of its hubs in recent years.

The top three sides from this tournament qualified for the Paris Olympics. By finishing third, Japan booked their berth. Germany and USA are the other two sides to have sealed their places.

Japan were the early aggressor as they exerted pressure on the Indian defence and, in the process, had the first scoring chance, but an alert Savita Punia in front of the goal came out rushing to kick away the loose ball in the second minute. The Indians played catch-up as they failed to threaten the Japanese goal despite making some fine circle penetrations.

We have to watch the Olympics on the TV. We know we wanted to be there and, to be completely honest, we have the quality to be there. We should have been there, but we are not, so that hurts. Janneke Schopman, India coach

We got many, many chances and penalty corners, but we failed. We didn’t give up, we kept on trying. It really hurts. We now can’t compensate that. Savita Punia, India captain

It was really disappointing. Missing out on Olympics will definitely hurt. If you get so many scoring chances, including as many as nine penalty corners, and don’t take those opportunities, it is going to hurt you. Ajitpal Singh, former India captain

Japan kept up the pressure and secured their first penalty corner minutes later but the Indians defended well.

Two minutes later, India conceded another soft penalty corner, and this time Urata found the back of the net through the legs of Savita with a grounded flick.

The Indian backline was put under tremendous pressure by the Japanese with some dangerous crosses but the hosts somehow managed to hold on.

In the 12th minute, India had their first real chance. Monika created the opportunity with a fine cross from the right flank but Lalremsiami’s deflection went over the bar.

As has been the case in this tournament, the Indians were guilty of not using both the flanks. It was predictable hockey from them as they tried to build most of their attacks from the right flank.

The Indians, however, got some momentum in the second quarter, securing two penalty corners in quick succession. First, Lalremsiami created the opportunity with fine skills, but Deepika’s effort was saved by Japan goalkeeper Eika Nakamura. Seconds later, India earned another one but once again Deepika failed to breach the Japanese defence.

The Indian players didn’t show any intent to win 50-50 balls. They also seemed to have run out of ideas, and mostly tried to hit the ball from the 30-yard circle instead of playing a passing game.

Trailing 0-1, the Indians came out attacking after the change of ends and made a few good moves, but goals eluded them.

India earned as many as nine penalty corners in the entire 60 minutes but their perennial problem of conversion continued.

In the last 11 minutes, they secured three penalty corners but Deepika and Udita Duhan’s poor form continued. A minute-and-a-half from the final hooter, an unmarked Salima Tete got a brilliant chance to equalise, but, with only the goalkeeper to beat, she shot wide. — PTI

Germany win final

Ranchi: A dominant Germany defeated USA 2-0 to win the Olympics qualifiers here today, having already secured their place at the Paris Games. Germany scored two goals in the first two quarters through Jette Fleschfutz (3rd minute) and Sonja Zimmermann (20th) to claim the top spot in the eight-team tournament.

A dominant New Zealand scored three goals in the first three quarters to beat Italy 3-1 and finish fifth.

Rose Tynan (7th), skipper Olivia Merry (10th) and Hannah Cotter (31st) were the scorers for them in the fifth-sixth place classification match. Italy’s lone goal came from Ivanna Pessina in the 21st minute.