Indian Women's Hockey Team Wins Asian Champions Trophy, Beating China 1-0 in the Final
21 NOV 2024
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team secured a thrilling 1-0 victory against China in the final of the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday.
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17-year-old forward Deepika was the star of the match, scoring the winning goal with a stunning reverse hit in the 31st minute. This was Deepika’s 11th goal of the tournament, making her the top scorer. India had earlier defeated China 3-0 during the group stages.
With this win, India retained their title and now shares the record for the most ACT wins (three titles) with South Korea. India had previously won the championship in 2016 and 2023.
China finished as runners-up for the third time, while Japan secured third place with a 4-1 win over Malaysia in the bronze medal match.
The final was a tightly contested match, with both teams showing exceptional defense in the first two quarters. India’s young sensation, Sunelita Toppo, stood out with her impressive dribbling and runs.
China got the first penalty corner in the second quarter, but India’s goalkeeper, Bichu Devi Kharibam, made a brilliant save. India, however, struggled with penalty corner conversions, a recurring challenge throughout the tournament. Despite several chances, the score remained 0-0 at halftime.
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In the second half, India intensified their attacks, earning their fifth penalty corner early on. This time, Deepika capitalized on the opportunity, delivering a powerful reverse hit that found the back of the net.
China tried to level the game, employing aggressive high-press tactics, but India’s defense held firm. Despite a few close calls, including a penalty stroke save by China’s goalkeeper Li Ting, India maintained their lead until the final whistle.
This victory not only cements India’s dominance in Asian women’s hockey but also highlights the team’s rising young talent, making it a memorable moment for the sport in the country.
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