Japan won the Women’s Asia Cup Muscat 2022, defeating Korea by a score of four goals to two.
The Cherry Blossoms had to come back from a 1-0 deficit in the opening quarter against a Korea team that had appeared unbeatable throughout this competition.
Japan, on the other hand, had been in fine form throughout the tournament, and goals from captain Yuri Nagai, Kanon Mori, and Kaho Tanaka capped off a fantastic tournament for Head Coach Jude Menezes and his team.
Cheon Eunbi of Korea led the tournament in scoring with seven goals.
As a result, Japan has won its third Asia Cup, following victories in 2007 and 2013. They are now on a par with Korea, having won three titles.
In the earlier bronze medal match between India and China, Sharmila Devi’s (13′) and Gurjit Kaur’s (19′) penalty corner goals ensured that the 2017 champions left Oman with a medal.
The match was fiercely contested throughout, and China had numerous chances to equalize, but India’s defence stood strong, responding to Head Coach Janneke Schopman’s call for a solid defence from which to spring attacks.
All four teams competing in the medal matches had already qualified for the 2022 FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup in Spain and the Netherlands.
Final Standings:
- Japan- qualified for the FIH Hockey Women’s World Cup Spain and Netherlands 2022
- Korea – qualified for the World Cup
- India – qualified for the World Cup
- China – qualified for the World Cup
- Malaysia
- Thailand
- Singapore
- Indonesia
