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The two Asian sides with a point apiece from their opening fixture of the Rio Olympics 2016. It had seemed at one stage that the Indians were headed for a crushing defeat but they turned it around superbly in the third quarter, scoring two in quick succession.
FULL TIME! India 2-2 Japan.
60' - India miss a sitter with seconds left on the clock. It's almost over!
58' - Nagai's shot appeared to hit Chanu's foot inside the circle but wasn't spotted by the ref. They have lost their referral, hence it stands.
The Japanese are on their nerves in the face of this relentless pressure from India. One small mistake could prove fatal for either side.
57' - India survive back-to-back scares in defence! Nakagawa had it in her control with the near post unmarked but failed to put it away. It stays 2-2!
55' - Rani with a powerful drag flick into the midriff of keeper Asano. Scores unaltered. 5 minutes to go and it's the Indians who look more likely to score!
55' - One more penalty corner. This time for India!
54' - Poonam Rani sends it across to her left but nobody reaches it on time.
53' - India's strikers have hovered around the Japanese circle for a long spell now. All we need is to find a goalward hit at the moment!
The Indian defense is finally showing signs of the solidity that is characteristic of champions. As the famous saying by a wise man goes, 'Offense wins you matches, defense wins you titles.'
49' - It's evident that the Indians are aiming for all three points from this encounter. There's a newfound urge to find their 3rd goal against Japan.
48' - Deepika managed to split the defence with a long and intricate run but was denied room to strike towards goal. Still 2-2.
The two halves of the match seems to be mirror images of each other with the style of play and build ups virtually reversed.
The final quarter gets underway. Who will emerge victorious here in Deodoro?
End of Q3! India 2-2 Japan.
Rani's influence on the game grows and grows.
45' - Magnificent save from Savita Poonia, diving to her right and keeping out the thunderous low shot from Nagai!
Excellent comeback from India. Things looking good and on course. To have hope of progressing to the next round, the Indian Eves cannot remain satisfied with a draw, must push harder.
45' - PC for Japan. They'd scored their first in the last minute of Q1.
43' - Both goals have come in the 3rd quarter for India. They're finally playing like a side deserving of a victory. It's essential that they keep their tight grip on the game for the remaining duration. The task in hand is still not complete.
40' - GOAL! Lilima Minz with a priceless equaliser brings India back on even terms!
40' - GOALLLLL! India 2-2 Japan!
40' - A cleverly earned penalty corner for India!
Argentina and Australia are ranked 2 and 3 respectively and are going to be tough opponents. Since the Pool table might well go down to the wire, a better head-to-head statistic might just be the boost to push India over the line. This is why the games against the relatively lower ranked teams are important.
37' - Rani Rampal with a disappointing shot from Preeti's injection. Will India have to rue this missed opportunity?
37' - Another PC to India!
36' - Poonam Rani shimmies her way into the near post but is denied by the Japanese. Brave effort by Poonam!
34' - Hazuki Nagai put her weight behind the drag flick but narrowly missed the target. It stays 2-1.
34' - India lose their referral after the decision stands. It did seem like Sushila's stick had touched the ball, though.
34' - Japan have a penalty corner which the Indians aren't happy with. They've referred it to the video umpire.
33' - A newfound vigour about the Indian Eves sees them charging forward to attack in numbers! Could this be the start of a wonderful turnaround?
31' - GOALLLLL! It's Rani Rampal with India's first goal of the Rio Olympics 2016!
31' - GOAL! India 1-2 Japan.
31' - India win their first penalty corner!
Japan, ranked 10th is the closest to India in world rankings. The game is only half-way done. The girls in blue can still buck up and turn tables.
Today's match is particularly crucial for the Indian Women's team who are yet to face Great Britain, Argentina, Australia and USA in Group B. Hereon, it's only going to get tougher for the Blueskirts and to avoid bottom two, it's imperative to earn some valuable points from today's contest.
For Rio, the Golden Girls of Indian Hockey have been pooled with Argentina, Australia, Great Britain, USA and Japan. Being the lowest ranked team in Pool B, India have to put in a lot of sweat and blood to survive to the next round. More than decent performances against Japan and GB are required to have any hopes of advancing to the next round. In any case, a winning start to the campaign is always welcome.
Referee blows the whistle for half-time! India 0-2 Japan.
28' - Mie Nakashima doubles the lead two minutes from half-time with a deft deflection of a well-directed cross at the near post.
28' - GOAL! India 0-2 Japan.
26' - Preeti Dubey has been kept busy by Nagai. She's just dragged the ball out of the Indian back-line and to safety.
24' - Hazuki Nagai with a forward burst and a long-range shot fails to alter the scoreline after the referee spots an infarction.
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21' - Coach Neil Hawgood has sent Namitha Toppo out into the centre to try and improve the situation for India.
Japan seems to start off Q2 on a stronger foot. The ball sees a lot of the Indian 'D' initially.
20' - Lilima Minz retreats with the ball in the face of Japan's defence.
17' - A brilliant goalline clearance by keeper Savita. Japan have taken control over matters here and it's the Indians who're desperate to keep them out.
Action resumes in Q2.
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It's incredible how the Sushila Chanu-led squad swung the tide in the second half amidst a lot of pressure from the higher ranked Japanese side. This would provide a much-needed boost to their morale ahead of the upcoming fixtures in Group B.