WAC: India beat Japan in Asia Cup final
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| India |
February 8, 2004 
Hindustan Times
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The festive atmosphere at the National Stadium was simply unbelievable as the Indian eves rose to the big occasion, pipped Japan 1-0 via Jasjeet Kaur's solo effort in the 63rd minute and clinched the Asia Cup hockey title.
On a day when the Indians went into the match without star striker Jyoti Sunita Kullu, few would have imagined the hosts would take on strong Japan with such assurance and authority. And if there was one woman who stood out in the whole show it had to be goalkeeper Helen Mary.
Helen had shone at the Afro-Asian Games last October and again showed not just a large heart but the skills to withstand the onslaught. Yes, there was huge tension in the last three minutes when Japan forced their ninth and tenth penalty corners. But Helen and the Indian defence withstood the pressure.
"I was very confident even in the semi-finals. This is the biggest day in my career and I am happy we won," said Helen. This was the venue where 22 years back a goalkeeper had been riled for conceding seven goals against Pakistan in the Asian Games final. And the first reaction of Mir Ranjan Negi, who is the second coach with the Indian team was: "I can now forget 1982!"
There is no doubt, this was a combined effort from the Indians against a side which had beaten them twice in the Busan Asiad. But the word fear just did not exist in the hearts of the Indian players as they showed pluck and poise in the second half.
The plan was clear. With no forward as classy as Kullu to boast of, the attack had to flow from the right flank where 16-year-old Jasjeet had her task cut out. And with Adline Kerketta also striving hard, this was a very deserving win for the Indians who were meted out shabby treatment by the federation.
A lot of credit for today's win should go to the Indian think-tank with MK Kaushik as chief coach and skipper Surajlata Devi. Surajlata, as playmaker, was simply effervescent and Masira Surin did well to thwart the Japan attack where tricky Sachimi Iwao and Sakae Morimoto were the threats.
The lone goal of the match was a fine piece of opportunism. Jasjeet broke away from the 25-yard line, made a solo dash and drove crisply past goalkeeper Rie Terazone. Just before that, the Class XI girl from SGNP School,Shahbad had looked slow in the scoring zone.
If there was anything totally surprising today, it was Japan's inability to score even once of the penalty corners, even though they tried several variations.
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