K. ARUMUGAM

Deepika’s 31st minute goal was all that India needed to clinch its third Asian Women’s Champions Trophy.  Despite territorial dominance, Indians were struggling to get goals on board in the final played against full throat stands here in Rajgir. Change of sides however saw change of fortune for India with either side could score in the first half.  Deepika’s guild push off the first penalty corner  in the third quarter settled the issue in favour of the Indians.  The Indians were all over the places, creating amble chances in the first half, created five penalty corners but all in vain.

The Indians were thus crowned Champions of the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024.  The game saw both team trade exchanges 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.

Elated Hockey India declared a reward of ₹3 Lakh each for all players and ₹1.5 Lakh each for all support staff while Government of Bihar has announced a reward of Rs.10 lac to each player and coach Harendra while support staff will get Rs. 5 lacs.  The Asian Hockey Federation has also announced a reward for podium finishers for the very first time in the competition’s history. India will receive a substantial USD 10,000, while China and Japan will be awarded USD 7,000 and USD 5,000 respectively.

Both teams fiercely contested every inch of territory as the game began, trading circle entries without managing any shots on goal. It was an intense, end-to-end battle, but neither side could find the finishing touch for most of the quarter. In the final minutes of the 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.
In the second quarter, China took the initiative and earned a penalty corner two minutes in, but Bichu Devi showcased her catlike 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 traded another set of penalty corners, yet neither could find the back of the net. The game continued to be an intense, end-to-end battle, with neither side willing to give an inch. As a result, the first half ended with the score still locked at 0-0.
Within seconds of the second half India earned another penalty corner, 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. In search of a second goal, India pressed higher and pegged China back into their own half. With three minutes left in the quarter, China began rotating the ball along the backline to gain control but India won the ball and set Deepika on a counter. She stepped up to take a penalty stroke after she was fouled but her low shot was saved by Ting li on the line to keep China in the game.
As the final quarter began, China showed greater resolve, pressing forward with determination. However, 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 exemplary defense ensured they clinched their third Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory.