<p>Returning to the Olympics after a hiatus of 36 years, Indian women's hockey team showed tremendous fighting spirit and came from two goals down to eke out a 2-2 draw against higher-ranked Japan in their opening Pool B match at the Rio Games, here today.<br /><br />The Indians, ranked 13th in the world, were trailing by two goals at half time after World No. 10 Japan scored through Emi Nishikori (15th minute) and Mie Nakashima (28th).<br /><br />But the Indians made a valiant fightback as Rani Rampal (31st) and Lilima Minz (40th) scored a goal each in the third and fourth quarters to secure points for their side.<br /><br />The Indian girls got off to a bright start in the match before losing the plot towards the end of the first quarter.<br /><br />They dominated the share of possesion but failed to create clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes. Whatever chances India created, the strikers misfired inside the rival circle.<br /><br />Japan, on the other hand, took time to settle down but got into the groove as the game progressed.<br /><br />India's first scoring chance came in the seventh minute but Preeti Dubey, who was lurking in front of Japan goal, failed to get a touch to Deepika's cross. A minute later Poonam Rani shot wide from inside the circle.<br /><br />Just 10 seconds from the end of first quarter, India conceded a penalty corner and Japan broke the deadlock through a fine dummy goal from Nishikori.<br /><br />In the second quarter, the Indian girls enjoyed more possession but were guilty of giving away the ball too easily.<br /><br />Japan doubled their lead two minutes from half time from a swift break through Nakashima who deflected in a cross from left which India captain Sushila Chanu failed to cut off.<br /><br />Down by two goals, India came out with more purpose after the change of ends and put pressure on the Japanese goal with relentless attacks.<br /><br />The Indians earned their first penalty corner with the opening move of the third quarter and Rani Rampal was bang on target with a slap shot to reduce the margin.<br /><br />Japan missed their second short corner, but India utilised the second of two more penalty corners they earned in the third quarter when Lilima Minz scored from a rebound to level the scores.</p>.<p>Goalkeeper Savita made a brilliant diving save in the final second of the third quarter to deny Yuri Nagai and keep India alive in the match.<br /><br />India came out with aggressive intent in the final quarter and created numerous chances but failed to convert them into goals.<br /><br />In fact, Vandana Kataria got a golden opportunity to seal the win for India but her shot from close range was saved by Japanese goalie Sakiyo Asano.<br /><br />The Indians went through some anxious moments in the final few minutes when Japan pressed hard for the winner.<br /><br />Savita saved the day for India with some alert goalkeeping as they survived some close shaves.<br /><br />India will play Great Britain in their next pool match on Tuesday. </p>
<p>Returning to the Olympics after a hiatus of 36 years, Indian women's hockey team showed tremendous fighting spirit and came from two goals down to eke out a 2-2 draw against higher-ranked Japan in their opening Pool B match at the Rio Games, here today.<br /><br />The Indians, ranked 13th in the world, were trailing by two goals at half time after World No. 10 Japan scored through Emi Nishikori (15th minute) and Mie Nakashima (28th).<br /><br />But the Indians made a valiant fightback as Rani Rampal (31st) and Lilima Minz (40th) scored a goal each in the third and fourth quarters to secure points for their side.<br /><br />The Indian girls got off to a bright start in the match before losing the plot towards the end of the first quarter.<br /><br />They dominated the share of possesion but failed to create clear-cut scoring opportunities in the first 30 minutes. Whatever chances India created, the strikers misfired inside the rival circle.<br /><br />Japan, on the other hand, took time to settle down but got into the groove as the game progressed.<br /><br />India's first scoring chance came in the seventh minute but Preeti Dubey, who was lurking in front of Japan goal, failed to get a touch to Deepika's cross. A minute later Poonam Rani shot wide from inside the circle.<br /><br />Just 10 seconds from the end of first quarter, India conceded a penalty corner and Japan broke the deadlock through a fine dummy goal from Nishikori.<br /><br />In the second quarter, the Indian girls enjoyed more possession but were guilty of giving away the ball too easily.<br /><br />Japan doubled their lead two minutes from half time from a swift break through Nakashima who deflected in a cross from left which India captain Sushila Chanu failed to cut off.<br /><br />Down by two goals, India came out with more purpose after the change of ends and put pressure on the Japanese goal with relentless attacks.<br /><br />The Indians earned their first penalty corner with the opening move of the third quarter and Rani Rampal was bang on target with a slap shot to reduce the margin.<br /><br />Japan missed their second short corner, but India utilised the second of two more penalty corners they earned in the third quarter when Lilima Minz scored from a rebound to level the scores.</p>.<p>Goalkeeper Savita made a brilliant diving save in the final second of the third quarter to deny Yuri Nagai and keep India alive in the match.<br /><br />India came out with aggressive intent in the final quarter and created numerous chances but failed to convert them into goals.<br /><br />In fact, Vandana Kataria got a golden opportunity to seal the win for India but her shot from close range was saved by Japanese goalie Sakiyo Asano.<br /><br />The Indians went through some anxious moments in the final few minutes when Japan pressed hard for the winner.<br /><br />Savita saved the day for India with some alert goalkeeping as they survived some close shaves.<br /><br />India will play Great Britain in their next pool match on Tuesday. </p>