K. ARUMUGAM
Playing like team possessed, defending champions India showcased a kind of rhythm that they seemed to have retrieved, for once, to clinch the bronze match today at the Sultan Qaboos in Muscat. With a goal apiece from Sharmiala Devi and Gurjit Kaur early in the proceedings Savita’s outfit overcame fighting China 2-0 to get their seventh meal at Asia Cup, third bronze.
“Am super happy. It was disappointing to lose the semifinal mainly because we did not play well. China is a fighting team, they lost to Japan and Korea just by a single goal margin. Am happy the way we did, we defended”, said hugely relieved chief coach Janneke Schopman.
The medal is a huge relief for the Savita led Indian team too which faces huge tasks in the year. A medalless outing would have done a psychological blow for the top seed team here, but that was averted thankfully. India has certainly showed improvement in every department today, especially in the defence plank where Deep Grace Ekka, Udita and Gurjit Kaur were near flawless in their tackles and re-tackles. They were tested and stretched only the last part of the last quarter where too the penalty corner defence came on its terms to deny any leverage for the gifted rival. The solid defence was the main missing thing in the previous outing against Japan and South Korea.
India has a poor history against China in the Asia Cup history, having won just two out of 12 matches. Against the backdrop the victory confirms Indian current position of leader in Asia.
Later in the day, Japan outclassed South Korea, notably in the second half to romp home their maiden Asia Cup victory in ten appearances.
India celebrates Sharmila’s goal
The Indian machine started well today, and straightaway pressed its attack button. Wingers Lalremsiami and Sharmila were prominent in their run downs and neat passes. For a team that did not do well at penalty corners, a rebound connection by lanky Sharmila in the 13th minute and then Gurjit Kaur’s drag entered the cage six minutes later (2-0).
China waged a war after conceding two goals, especially the last five minutes when they even got four penalty corners but first charger Salima Tete and the defenders did well to thwart from any damage being inflicted.
Salima was declared Rising Star of the event while Sharmila Devi got the Best Player Award for the bronze medal match.