The Indian women's hockey team celebrated their second Women's Asian Champions Trophy title with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Japan in the final. This triumph offers a breath of fresh air for a team that has experienced heartbreaking setbacks in recent years, including at the Olympics, Commonwealth Games, World Cup, and Asian Games.
The final match witnessed both teams showcasing their skills and determination. India dominated the opening quarter, while Japan looked for opportunities to counter-attack. India's goalkeeper, Savita Punia, made a crucial interception to deny Japan an early lead. The deadlock was broken in the second quarter when Sangita Kumari struck the ball into the net, giving India the lead. Japan's attempt to equalize was denied after a video review, preserving India's advantage.
The third quarter ended without any goals, but in the final quarter, Neha extended India's lead with a penalty corner goal. A critical save by Savita Punia thwarted Japan's comeback attempt. Late in the match, Lalremsiami and Vandana Katariya added two more goals, sealing India's victory.
Hockey India has acknowledged this Women's Asian Champions Trophy victory by announcing rewards of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff. In addition to India's win, China secured the third position by defeating Korea 2-1 in the bronze medal match. The tournament featured the participation of India, China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.
This triumph not only demonstrates the team's skill, resilience, and determination but also represents a significant milestone for Indian women's hockey. It underscores the progress the team has made in recent years and will undoubtedly boost their confidence as they continue their journey in international hockey.