India held China to a 1-1 draw after trailing 0-1 half-time, in Pool A, while Korea and the defending champion, Japan scored two goals each to share points in Pool B on grey afternoon in the Asian Women’s hockey championship here in Bangkok, Thailand on Tuesday.

By S. Thyagarajan

Both needle matches were expected to produce a close contest and indeed they did much to the delight of a moderate gathering at the Queen Siriket Sports Center.

India turned in a quality show against China. Despite the early dominance, India allowed China to surge ahead midway through when Liao Hui hit the target from a neat cross by Ma Wei.

Crossing over, India gathered the initiative and slotted the equalizer through Saba Anjum off a push from Jasjeet Handa in a penalty corner.

The Japan-Korea tie was played at a terrific pace. The holder, Japan, struck in the early minutes when Sato Masaka netted the lead. But Korea fought back commendably, to level through Miyong Eun.

Seconds before the end of the first half, Korea swept ahead through a goal by Dae Rae Kim, who managed to latch on to a cross from Jong Eun Kim. In the closing stages, Ai Murakami finished the day for Japan with honours even.

Both Japan and Korea with 10 points each have moved into the last four, while China and India have seven points each with a match left for Wednesday.

Asian Hockey Federation President and FIH Executive Board Member Sultan Azlan Shah witnessed the matches.

The top two teams of the Women’s Asia Cup will qualify for the BDO FIH World Cup 2010.

Results Women’s Asia Cup:

Pool A:
India – China 1:1 (0:1)
Malaysia – Singapore 3:0 (2:0)

Ranking:
1. India 3-7 (29-1)
2. China 3-7 (18-1)
3. Malaysia 3-6 (7-4)
4. Singapore 4-4 (1-29)
5. Thailand 3-0 (0-19)

Pool B:
Kazakhstan – Hong Kong 4:2 (1:1)
Taipei – Sri Lanka 5:1 (2:1)
Korea – Japan 2:2 (1:1)

Ranking:
1. Korea 4-10 (44-2)
2. Japan 4-10 (39-2)
3. Kazakhstan 4-7 (9-29)
4. Taipei 4-4 (7-11)
5. Hong Kong 4-4 (5-14)
6. Sri Lanka 4-0 (1-45)

Wednesday’s matches: Sri Lanka v Kazakhstan;  Korea v Taipei; Japan v Hong Kong; China v Thailand; Malaysia v India