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Hockey

India edge-out China to defend Asian Champions Trophy

India broke the deadlock in the fourth quarter to post a 1-0 win over China in the final.

India edge-out China to defend Asian Champions Trophy
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The Indian Hockey Team beat China 1-0 in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy, 2024. (Photo Credit: Hockey India/X)

By

The Bridge Desk

Updated: 17 Sep 2024 12:56 PM GMT

The Indian Hockey team have successfully defended their Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) title, defeating hosts China 1-0 in the final on Tuesday.

The Indians, however, were made to work hard for the win, with the Chinese putting up an exemplary defensive performance.

But thanks to a moment of magic from skipper Harmanpreet Singh, Jugraj capitalized on his skipper's cutback and scored the only goal of the final.

This is India's fifth ACT triumph, whereas, for China, this was just their first-ever final at the ACT, in front of a packed and very vocal crowd at Moqi, China.

China, resolute in defense

The Chinese began the game by setting up in a rigid low block that had appeared to dispel all forms of Indian attacks.

Despite India managing plenty of possession, they were unable to create any clear-cut chances.

Towards the end of the first quarter, India had a flurry of chances but were denied due to the brilliance of the Chinese goalkeeper Wang Wei, who had a brilliant night between the uprights.

The quarter ended with China earning a penalty corner and forcing India's keeper Prathak into making a save.

The second quarter too followed a similar pattern despite India attacking relentlessly.

The Indians did come very close, with Harmanpreet hitting the post in a penalty corner.

At the end, India were handed a penalty stroke but it was overturned upon review.

In the second half, India's tactics were modified and more long passes and shots were employed from the defending champions.

But just like the previous attempts, these too proved to be futile as the Chinese wall stood firm.

In addition to defending brilliantly, China had three penalty corners to get their noses in front but was not able to make any of them count.

In the final quarter, at around the fifty minute mark, Harmanpreet drove the ball down the byline from a long corner and cut it back to Jugraj Singh, who unleashed a powerful shot into the net, giving India the lead and silencing the crowd.

China then frantically tried everything in the book, and despite it all, India held on to emerge victorious.

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