India qualified for the final of the Asian Champions Trophy after a 2-0 win over Japan in the semifinal with two goals in the final quarter, despite knocking on the door throughout the course of the game, in which India failed to convert any of their 12 penalty corners throughout the game.
India had run into an inspired Yu Kudo in the Japanese goal, who pulled off stunning save after stunning save to keep the match in the balance. Eventually, Junon Kawai conceded a penalty stroke at the beginning of the fourth quarter, pushing Deepika in the back in the circle. Navneet Kaur stepped up from the spot and sent a shot to the goalkeeper's right, to which Kudo got a sizeable hand, but there was just enough power in the shot to send the shot into the net.
The second goal came with five minutes to go in the game, after an excellent move down the right flank. First, Neha played Sunelita Toppo through down the wing, and then her square ball found Lalremsiami at the back post, who finished it with Kudo taken out of the game by the cross.
India then saw off the game professionally, conceding only two penalty corners throughout the game, which they defended well enough.
Ahead of the final, though, Harendra Singh will be concerned by India's profligacy in front of goal. They had a number of chances from open play, but Deepika, Sangita Kumari and Beauty Dungdung couldn't take big opportunities that were presented to them. Out of their 12 penalty corners, India couldn't even take a shot with four of them, due to poor traps from the halters - with Sushila Chanu and Neha both making mistakes in that aspect of the game.
India will now face China in the final on Wednesday evening. They will take confidence from their 3-0 win over China in the group stage, but will know that they cannot afford to be miss the number of chances they did in the semifinal.
You can relive the match on our live blog, below: