Indian women hockey team has defeated Japan 1-0 in a warm-up match before start of their campaign in the seventh Women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok on Wednesday.

Indian captain Surinder Kaur scored the lone goal to lead her team to victory against the defending champions in 40 minute practice match.  The eight-nation tournament will also serve as qualifying round for the 2010 World Cup.

Indian team has been placed in Group ‘A’ with China, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand as other teams in the group. Indian women will face Singapore in their opening match of the Asia Cup at the Queen Sikrit University Sports Centre on Friday.

Indian coach MK Kaushik said that they will have to win all matches with good margin so that they could choose their semifinal rivals as the finalist teams will qualify for the 2010 World Cup.

Surinder, who will be representing Indian team for the fourth time, said that they will not take Singapore lightly and they will play against them with full strength.