I

n Hockey, Indian eves brought joy as they came from a two goal deficit to end the match in a draw. Playing their opening encounter against Japan, they were down Nil-2 at the end of second quarter.

Japan scored through Emi Nishikori in the 15th minute and Mie Nakashima in 28th minute. But the Indians made a valiant fightback as Rani Rampal hit the board in 31st minute and Lilima Minz in 40th minute scored the equaliser.

The women's hockey group, which has qualified for the Olympics after 36 years, showed a lot of grit in the face of adversity and staged a grand rally in the second half to hold higher-ranked Japan to a 2-2 draw.