Women’s Asian Champions Trophy: Indian Hockey team defeats China.
Summary: In the Asian Champions Trophy hockey final, India defeated China 1-0 to capture a record-tying third title, with Deepika scoring the game's only goal.
Highlights of the India vs. China hockey final: India defeated China 1-0 to capture a record-tying third title, with Deepika scoring the game's lone goal. India took a 1-0 lead minutes into the third quarter thanks to a goal by Deepika, who also missed a penalty kick.
The home team was able to hold onto the lead despite a late comeback from China in the last quarter. With three titles each, India and South Korea are now the most successful teams in the tournament's history.
China got a penalty corner with 12 minutes remaining in the first half, and with the score still tied at zero, Tan Jinzhuang found a gap to attempt a goal.
India's goalkeeper Bichu Devi, who trains hard for this, jumped in anticipation of the first shot, then immediately stood up and prepared herself for Tan's shot.
The goal appeared to be well-stricken and on its way to the net, but Bichu jumped to her right like a football goalie and got her stick to it just in time.
Now, if China had scored first, the final may have been different, and they might have even shut down to annoy India. However, when the Indian defense was put to the test in Rajgir, they found a replacement.
Deepika then scored the crucial winning goal. Despite having another uneventful evening, she created a pivotal moment early in the third quarter.
India took a penalty corner immediately after halftime, but Deepika was caught in space inside the circle and hit a strong reverse hit that beat the Chinese defense when the injection's trap was messed up.
She would subsequently miss a penalty stroke, which she had won so convincingly in the first place, although she was the tournament's top goal scorer (11).
India pushed harder and pinned China in their own half as they looked for a second goal. China tried to gain control by spinning the ball down the backline with three minutes remaining in the quarter, but India reclaimed the ball and put Deepika on a counter.
She was given a penalty stroke after being fouled just inside the circle. Ting Li to her right, however, made a spectacular save on her low shot to keep China in the match.
The Bihar government declared that each player and Harendra (coach) would receive a monetary prize of ₹10 lakh, while the other support staff would receive ₹5 lakh. Each athlete will receive ₹3 lakh, while each support personnel will receive ₹1.5 lakh, announced Hockey India.