Women’s Asian Champions Trophy: After a few nervous moments, the Indian hockey team defeated China 2-1 to exact revenge for their defeat at the Asian Games and to continue their unstoppable run in the women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi on Monday. China’s Zhong Jiaqi scored in the 41st minute, while the hosts’ Deepika (15th) and Salima Tete (26th) scored first. China defeated India in the Asian Games semifinals in Hangzhou last month, sabotaging India’s hopes of earning a direct qualification for the Tokyo Olympics.
However, India paid the favors back on Monday in their third group stage game to maintain their top spot.
India attempted to assault first, moving from left to right, but the Chinese erected a defensive wall to stop the hosts’ advances.
India was in control, and Jyoti Sonika won their first penalty, but stopper Monika’s error cost them. With only 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Deepika expertly converted the penalty stroke that the hosts had just been granted.
Early in the second quarter, China achieved a circle penetration, but India was able to fend off any threat.
Lalremsiami’s two-minute suspension put India down a player, but China was unable to take advantage of the situation.
Then, in the 25th minute, local sensation Salima Tete unleashed a spectacular reverse hit from close to the circle to put India ahead 2-0.
China received a penalty call in the closing seconds of the second quarter, but Indian defenders held strong to take a commanding advantage at the break.
Vandana Katariya, in her 299th game, earned another PC for India, but the Chinese defense held strong.
China began to exert constant pressure on India, but Savita resisted by blocking a potentially dangerous play from the left and kicking the ball away to neutralize the Chinese onslaught.
But with four minutes remaining in the quarter, China got their second PC and went for a variation, as Zhong Jiaqi scored their first goal by putting the ball beyond Savita.
China started the last quarter aggressively, trying to control the midfield and find an equalizer.
The ball shot dangerously high in the air during the altercation, earning China a PC shortly after. India requested a review, but the video umpire made a different decision.
Before long, there was a momentary disruption as the floodlights failed. China was unable to convert the PC when resumed play because India maintained its lead.
Following Vandana’s yellow card for tripping a Chinese player with her stick during a tackle, India had ten players left for the final five minutes of play.
With five minutes remaining, China, desperate for an equalizer, earned another penalty kick but wasted it by substituting a field player for the goalkeeper.
With three minutes remaining, the Asian Games champions went on another offensive rampage and came dangerously close to scoring as India pulled through.
