Harmanpreet Singh, the captain of the Indian men’s hockey team, congratulated the Indian women’s hockey team on their victory in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 at Rajgir, Bihar. At the Rajgir Hockey Stadium on Wednesday, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team defeated China 1-0 in the final to win the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024.
Both sides played at their peak in the first half of the match, but India picked up the pace in the second half, and Deepika’s goal in the 31st minute made sure India won the Asian Champions Trophy again. Harmanpreet praised the women’s hockey squad on X for their amazing work, and she specifically mentioned Deepika.
“Congratulations to the Indian Women’s Hockey Team on clinching the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 in Rajgir and taking their title tally to 3! Hats off to young captain Salima Tete and Harender Sir for an incredible job. A special shoutout to Deepika–one drag flicker to another, you’re destined for greatness,” Harmanpreet wrote on X.
As the game started, both teams fought hard for every square inch of ground, exchanging circle entries without managing to get any shots on goal. For the majority of the quarter, neither team was able to find the last touch in a fierce, end-to-end contest.
India put together a string of deft passes in the last few minutes of the quarter to reach inside the shooting circle. The first quarter ended goalless, though, as the Chinese defence held firm, carefully marking the forwards and denying any obvious chances to score.
China started the second quarter and was awarded a penalty corner two minutes in, but Bichu Devi showed off her lightning-fast reflexes by jumping high to block a close-range attempt from Jinzhuang Tan. In the very next minute, India retaliated by earning a penalty corner, but Chinese custodian Surong Wu made a fantastic save on Deepika’s drag flick.
Despite exchanging another round of penalty corners, neither team was able to score. With neither side prepared to concede an inch, the game remained a fierce, end-to-end struggle. Consequently, the score remained locked at 0-0 at the completion of the first half.
China shown more commitment as the last quarter got underway, moving forward with tenacity. Surong Wu in goal easily kicked away Sushila’s strike, but India swiftly reclaimed control, pushing China back and collecting a penalty corner within two minutes.
After that, China regrouped and stepped up its efforts to level the playing field, but the Indian defence held firm, essentially blocking all Chinese attack routes. India ultimately prevailed 1-0 after a fierce battle thanks to their outstanding defence, which guaranteed them their third Asian Champions Trophy crown. (ANI)