India ends 44-year wait, beats China 1-0 to win Asian Games women's hockey gold

India ended a 44-year wait for Asian Games women's hockey gold, beating China 1-0 in the final in Kakamigahara on Friday.

Lalremsiami scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute, marking her 200th appearance for India with a landmark strike. The forward's goal proved enough as India held off a determined China to reclaim the Asian Games title.

China pushed hard for an equaliser throughout the match and created several opportunities, including penalty corners and a penalty stroke. But India goalkeeper Savita Punia and the defence stood firm to preserve their narrow advantage.

China eventually pulled their goalkeeper in the closing stages and threw an extra outfield player forward, but India refused to concede.

The victory gives India their first Asian Games women's hockey gold since 1982 and also secures qualification for the LA 2028 Olympics, returning to the Games after eight years.

For Lalremsiami, the night was doubly special. Playing her 200th match for India in an Asian Games final, she delivered the goal that brought the title back to the Indian women's hockey team after more than four decades.

(More to follow..)