Indian women beat Japan 2-1, assure semifinal berth in Asian Champions Trophy hockey
Ranchi (PTI): An in-form India eked out a narrow 2-1 win over Japan to register their fourth straight win and storm into the semifinals of the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament here on Tuesday.
After two goalless quarters, Navneet Kaur (31st minute) and Sangita Kumari (47th) scored for India, while Japan's lone goal came from the stick of Kana Urata (37th).
It was a match between two undefeated sides in the tournament and it lived up to the billing.
India had earlier defeated Thailand 7-1 in their opener before getting the better of Malaysia and China 5-0 and 2-1 respectively. The Japanese too were undefeated coming into the match, having registered wins over Malaysia 3-0, South Korea 4-0 and Thailand 4-0 respectively.
It was a battle between Indian attack and Japan's defence in the first quarter as the hosts relentlessly put pressure on the opposition citadel but failed to produce any result.
The Japanese mostly relied on counter attacks to unsettle the Indians but failed to breach their defence.
Both the teams failed to create any clear cut scoring opportunities from field effort in the first quarter.
However, it was Japan who had the brightest of chances in the form of penalty corner in the 13th minute but Ishika Chaudhary was upto the task to keep the ball away from the net as the first quarter ended goalless.
The Japanese put pressure in the opening moments of the second quarter and created a couple of attacks but all those went in vain. The story was the same as it was in the first quarter as both the teams failed to create any real scoring opportunity.
In the last 4 minutes, the Indians came close to scoring at least thrice but were unable to finish the scoring shots.
India soon secured their first penalty corner but vice-captain Deep Grace Ekka's threatening shot to the right of Japanese goalie was well defended.
It was Japan's turn to earn a penalty corner next but the Indian defence was upto the task.
The deadlock was finally broken a minute after the change of ends through Navneet.
A deceptive pass from Salima Tete in the circle area found Navneet, who turned around and fired a powerful backhand shot into the Japanese net.
It took Japan just six minutes to draw level from their third penalty corner.
Urata brought her side back into the match, perfectly converting the set piece with a high flick to the top right corner of the Indian goal.
In the 39th minute, India secured another penalty corner, only to be denied by the Japanese goalkeeper.
It was an electrifying performance from both the sides in the fourth and final quarter, which witnessed end-to-end hockey. But it was India, who were the dominant side on display.
Two minutes into the final quarter, India secured a penalty corner and Deepika's low dragflick was deflected in by Sangita to hand the hosts a 2-1 lead.
India secured another penalty corner in the 53rd minute but the effort was saved by Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka.
From there on, the Japanese pressed hard for the equaliser but the Indians defended bravely to keep their opponents at bay and continue their winning run.
India will take on South Korea in their final league game on Thursday.
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Allahabad HC orders probe into 'reinstatement' of teacher in UP's Barabanki
Lucknow (PTI): The Lucknow Bench of the Allahabad High Court on Friday ordered a probe by the special task force (STF) into alleged irregularities in the rejoining of a teacher at City Intermediate College in Barabanki, observing that the reinstatement appeared to be prima facie illegal.
The court also directed the recovery of the salary paid to the teacher during the disputed period.
A bench of Justice Rajeev Singh passed the order on a petition filed by the college management committee. The court expressed doubts over the roles of the District Inspector of Schools (DIOS), Barabanki, the college principal and the teacher concerned and hence, directed a detailed inquiry into the matter.
Taking note of alleged manipulation of records and misleading submissions, the court ordered the immediate transfer of the Barabanki DIOS to ensure a fair probe. It also directed the initiation of disciplinary proceedings against the then joint director of education of the Ayodhya division.
In its order, the court found that the teacher, Abhay Kumar, was initially appointed as an assistant teacher in 2018 but joined an Eklavya Model Residential School in Chhattisgarh as a lecturer in June 2024 without obtaining permission from the management. His subsequent request to retain the lien was rejected.
Despite this, he was allowed to rejoin the Barabanki College in September 2025 on the directions of the joint director of education and the DIOS, and was even paid the salary for October 2025. The court termed the rejoining "wholly illegal" and lacking any legal basis.
The bench also expressed concern over lapses in communication within the education department and directed the Uttar Pradesh chief secretary to ensure that official orders are communicated through email and WhatsApp as well, to prevent disputes.
The matter is next listed for hearing on May 28 when a compliance report is sought.
