India Lifts Third Women's Asian Champions Trophy with Unbeaten Glory

The Indian women's hockey team secured their third Women's Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory against China in Rajgir, Bihar, on Wednesday evening. Deepika Sehrawat's lone goal in the third quarter proved decisive, cementing India’s place as joint record holders with South Korea, with three titles each in the tournament's history.

India showcased a flawless campaign, maintaining six clean sheets in seven games. In a tightly contested final, Deepika rose to the occasion once again, scoring her 11th goal of the tournament. Following a mis-trap during a penalty corner injection, India kept the play alive, and Deepika delivered a fierce tomahawk from the left circle, finding the far corner to beat the Chinese goalkeeper.

The victory could have been more emphatic as India earned a penalty stroke soon after. However, China’s goalkeeper, Li Ting, made an outstanding save to deny Deepika’s low shot. Despite a few missed penalty corners due to mis-traps, India’s defense remained unshaken, not conceding a single penalty corner in the second half. Goalkeeper Bichu Devi, splitting duties with Savita Punia, made a crucial save to thwart China’s only real opportunity in the game.

This triumph marks India’s second consecutive Asian Champions Trophy title, following their victory in Ranchi last year and their first win in Singapore in 2016. The team, under coach Harendra Singh, showcased resilience and renewed energy, building a strong foundation for the future. Singh, in his first tournament since returning as head coach, emphasized rebuilding players' confidence after missing out on the Paris Olympics and focusing on the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

Deepika, crowned Player of the Tournament, led the scoring charts with 11 goals, while four Indian players featured among the top six goal scorers. The team’s unbeaten run across seven matches underscored their dominance and coordination, making them the most successful team in the tournament's history.

Heartiest congratulations to Team India for their historic achievement and remarkable journey in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy! 🏑🎉

Reference:

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