The Indian women’s hockey team defeated Japan 4-0 to win the Asian Champions Trophy in the final at Ranchi, Jharkhand, India on November 5.
India’s Sangita Kumari (17th min), Neha Goyal (46th), Lalremsiami (57th) and Vandana Katariya (60th) scored the four goals, as the national team claimed the continental crown for the second time. India won its maiden Asian Champions Trophy title in 2016 in Singapore, while Japan has bagged the crown twice, in 2013 and 2021.
The recent win is India’s first title since December 2022 after the team lifted the FIH Nations Cup in Valencia to qualify for the Pro League.
The Indian men’s team won the continental tournament at Chennai in August.
Skipper Savita Punia was brilliant in goal as she saved three successive penalty corner (PC) opportunities. She also saved a penalty stroke in the final quarter. India scored their second goal via a PC variation as Deepika passed to Deep Grace Ekka, who struck the ball and Neha, in front of the goal, scored. The team scored their third goal when Lalremsiami scored via a PC. Vandana rounded it off in the final minute.
China beat South Korea 2-1 in the third place playoff.
