New Delhi || 20-11-2024 The Indian Women’s Hockey Team beat China 1-0 in final to win the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024, at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium today. The game saw both team tried hard to get the lead in the first half but India upped the intensity in the second half and a goal from Deepika (31’) ensured India defend their Asian Champions Trophy title.
India will receive a USD 10,000 as winner while China and Japan will be awarded USD 7,000 and USD 5,000 respectively.
For India’s superb form and winning the prestigious Championship, Hockey India declared a reward of ₹3 Lakh each for all players and ₹1.5 Lakh each for all support staff.
Both teams fiercely contested as the game began, trading circle entries without managing any shots on goal. It seemed as if nobody wants to leave the ball possession to the opponent. In the final minutes of the 1st quarter, India strung together a series of quick passes to penetrate the shooting circle. However, the Chinese defense stayed resilient, closely marking the forwards and preventing any clear goalscoring opportunities and the first quarter ended goalless.
China took the initiative and earned a penalty corner two minutes into the 2nd quarter, but Bichu Devi showcased her sharp reflexes by leaping high to swat away a close-range shot from Jinzhuang Tan. India immediately responded by earning a penalty corner in the very next minute, but Deepika’s drag flick was brilliantly saved by the Chinese goalkeeper Surong Wu. Both teams earned another set of penalty corners, yet neither could find the back of the net. The first half ended with the scoreline still at 0-0.
India earned another penalty corner minutes into the 3rd quarter, after a mist-trap, Navneet passed to Deepika on the left wing of the circle, who found the bottom right corner of the goal with a harrowing reverse shot and granted India the lead in the game. Finally India 1 China 0.
China tried hard for the equalizer getting the ball possession to stay in the match. In response India quickly regained control, pushing China back and earning a penalty corner within two minutes. But Sushila’s shot was easily kicked away by Surong Wu in goal. China then rallied and intensified their pursuit for an equalizer, but the Indian defense remained impenetrable, effectively shutting down all avenues for China’s attacks. In the end, India’s solid defense ensured they clinched their third Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory. Now they levelled with Republic of Korea to get the coveted trophy for the third time. They had the title earlier in 2016 and 2023.
