Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Indian Team Beat China To Defend The Title

 

The Indian Women’s hockey team defended their title with a closely fought win over China in the finals of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 played at Rajgir Sports Complex, Bihar on 20^th November 2024. It was an amazing performance by the hosts who held onto their nerves before winning the match.

The first move of the quarter came from India as Sunelita made a superb move inside the circle, but the Chinese goalkeeper Li Ting made a lovely save. Quichuan Deng was awarded a green card meaning a 2-minute suspension. Both teams’ defense looked solid and did not allow any chances. China dominated the possession in the first quarter with 55 percent while India had 45. It was a good game of hockey for both teams but ended in no goals. At the end of the first half, the score remained 0-0.

China started the second quarter with a penalty corner. It was well-defended by the Indian defense before Bichu produced a superb sensational save diving to her right. Quichan Deng was awarded a yellow card for the second foul meaning a 5-minute suspension. The Indian team earned 3 back-to-back penalty corners. The third penalty corner was well saved by Wu Suruong. Soon after, India earned their fourth penalty corner, but the shot went to the foot of Jyoti. India went down to 10 players with Sangita Kumari being awarded a green card. The Chinese team got their 2^nd penalty corner as the first rusher made a great interception. Indian team kept the pressure with positive moves, but the Chinese team remained solid. Right before the hooter, Neha was awarded a green card with a 2-minute suspension. At the end of the first half, the score remained 0-0. India dominated the possession with 52 percent as compared to 48 by China. The hosts had 9 circle penetrations as compared to 4 by China in the first half.

Savita came back in the third quarter as a goalkeeper. India began the third quarter with a penalty corner. The penalty corner was not properly trapped before Deepika produced a lovely reverse flick that went past the Chinese goalkeeper in the 31^st minute giving an India 1-0 lead. The Indian team was awarded a penalty stroke as Surong produced a sensational save. Indian team dominated the play putting enough pressure on the Chinese defense. At the end of the third quarter, India led 1-0.

Bichu came as a goalkeeper for the Indian team in the fourth quarter. India began the quarter on a good note with another penalty corner. The shot was superbly saved by Chinese goalkeeper Wu Surong denying them the goal. The Indian defense looked solid as the Chinese players made positive moves to make it level. Despite all the efforts by the Chinese team, the Indian team held onto to their nerves to win the match by 1-0.

The Indian team defended their title as they won in the 2023 edition played in Ranchi. It was an impressive performance by the Indian women’s team as they did not lose any match and kept a clean slate.  Indian team looked impressive right from the word go finishing top of the points table with 5 out of 5 wins. They registered an impressive 2-0 win during the semi-finals against Japan on 19^th November 2024.

Indian Women's team beat China to defend the Asian Women's Champions Trophy title 2024.