India beats China 1-0

Ends 44-year gold wait

metro india news  I hyderabad : It was a fitting finale for the Asian Games hockey gold medal as India and China gave it their all but the Indians were a notch better as they coordinated well, attacked better and defended as there was no tomorrow at the Asian Games in Gifu, Japan on Friday. It is the first Asian Games women's hockey gold medal since 1982 and also led to qualifying for the 2028 LA Olympics as well.

There were two golden moments, first when Sakshi Rana threaded a pass into the circle to find Lalremsiami who unleashed a fierce reverse-stick flick at an acute angle that sent the ball zoom into the upper netting. The second defining moment of the match was when veteran goal keeper Savita Punia produced a crucial penalty stroke save to preserve the lead that was given in the 10th minute of the match.  The importance of the save proved a lot as there were no more goals scored in the match.

China tried their best with Li Hong, Zou Meirong and Tan Jinzhuang probing down the flanks but could not penetrate the Indian defence who played with great skill, awareness and grit. India had to defend with everything they had for most of the match, particularly in the second and third quarters. With China throwing everything at them, India absorbed wave after wave of pressure, putting their bodies on the line to protect their slender advantage and complete a memorable triumph.

China enjoyed the bulk of possession during the opening quarter and made several entries into the Indian circle. However, India’s defensive structure remained compact, with the backline closing down spaces and denying China a clear opening.

It was an all-round effort by the Indians with each playing their part and Salima for one, remained the heart of the defensive effort, producing rock solid defence. India’s last women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games came way back in 1982 in New Delhi, with Eliza Nelson captaining the historic side. 44 years later, Indian finally climbed back to the Asian hockey summit.