Touted as favourites at the Asian Games, India lost to eventual winners China 0-4 in the semi-finals in Hangzhou last month, and ended up with the bronze medal
India players celebrate after beating Japan to win the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi on Sunday. Pic/PTI
Moments after beating Japan 4-0 to clinch their second Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) title in Ranchi on Sunday, India women’s hockey captain Savita Punia admitted that her team had a point to prove after their poor show at the Asian Games last month. Touted as favourites at the Asian Games, India lost to eventual winners China 0-4 in the semi-finals in Hangzhou last month, and ended up with the bronze medal.
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“We came here [ACT] with a target. We wanted to set the record straight after the team fell short in the Asian Games. We wanted to claim the gold medal here. The whole team had a point to prove and I am glad we were able to do so,” said Savita.
The veteran goalkeeper will return to Ranchi to lead India in the FIH Olympic qualifiers from January 13 to 19 where World No. 6 India will compete alongside Germany (No. 5), New Zealand (9th), Japan (11th), Chile (14th), USA (15th), Italy (19th) and Czech Republic (25th). The top three teams here will qualify for Paris 2024.
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