Less than a week after Indian men’s team beat Pakistan to win Asian Champions Trophy, the women’s outfit overcomes China 2-1 for their maiden Asian hockey title in Singapore
The Indians after their title triumph
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Singapore: The Indian women’s hockey team lifted its maiden Asian Champions Trophy title with a thrilling 2-1 win over China in the final, here on Saturday.
Deepika slotted the rebound from a penalty corner in the 60th minute of the game to give her team a memorable victory. Deep Grace Ekka converted a penalty corner to give India the early lead in the 13th minute before China equalised in the 44th minute through a goal from Zhong Mengling.
The welcome result for the Indian women’s team comes days after men beat Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia. India’s best finish in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy came in the last edition in 2013 when it finished runner-up to Japan. It had finished third in the inaugural edition in 2010.
Goal-scorers Deepika Thakur (left) and Deep Grace Ekka
Having learnt from their group stage encounter, India refused to let China take early control of the ball, closing them down high up the pitch, often intercepting their passes and constantly putting pressure by hunting in packs. When in possession, the Indian eves held their nerve, relentless and in control, they passed the ball around neatly and quickly to penetrate China’s circle. This slightly different approach to their game helped them earn India’s first penalty corner of the game in the 13th minute. An innovative set-piece saw Deep Grace Ekka perfectly send the ball past the Chinese keeper to take 1-0 lead.
Minutes before the final hooter, the hardworking Deepika, also the highest goal scorer of this tournament, found the
all-important winning goal, scoring from a rebound after a penalty corner to send the Indian supporters into a frenzy.
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