India win 5th Asian Champions Trophy hockey title after beating resolute China
The Indian team won their 5th Asian Champions trophy crown as they defeated a resolute China 1-0 on September 17, Tuesday.
Jugraj Singh scored the decisive goal in the 51st minute to help India secure the win as China made the defending champions work hard for the win in the end. India and China had faced each other in their tournament opener and it was the former who had won the match 3-0. Harmanpreet Singh and Co. were coming into the game as the hot favourites but the hosts weren’t ready to give up without a fight.
The match had started with China trying to put the Indian defence under pressure. This was evident in the first game between these two teams in the tournament with China looking to break India on the counter.
The first real chance came early in the first quarter when India got an effort on target with Sukhjeet putting in a cheeky shot, which was stopped well by the Chinese goalkeeper.
The first PC for India came in the 9th minute and it was well stopped by the Chinese defence. India would get another one and this time, Harmanpreet was well-wide of the mark. China would end the quarter stronger off the two and forced Krishan Pathak into a couple of penalty corners.
The second quarter remained cagey for most part as China had parked the bus to ensure India couldn’t get past them. India would get a big chance in 27th minute when Harmanpreet was able to make the most of a mistrapped PC, but it bounced off the post. Soon after, India was given a penalty stroke initially as Wang had wiped out Manpreet Singh.
However, China reviewed it and got the decision in their favour as things ended 0-0 at half-time.
The third quarter would see India produce a lot of fine attacks into the D, but the Chinese defence remained resolute. China would get a couple of PCs but the Indian defence was able to keep them at bay.
Pathak would come to the save in the 41st minute as he would keep out a fine PC effort. India would put in the pressure in the final few minutes as Hundal got into the D, but his shot went wide.
India’s pressure was there but China remained stubborn as the game went into the final quarter with all to play for.
India would restart the quarter by putting all of the pressure and finally the broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Harmanpreet made a fine run into the D and setup Jugraj, who made no mistake in breaking the deadlock.
China had to now throw caution to the wind and tried to put the pressure on India. They even got a flying goalkeeper onto the field as they kept searching for the goal. However, the Indian defence was strong enough in the end as India clinched the win in the end.