The Indian women’s hockey team clinched the Asian Champions Trophy title by defeating Japan with a resounding 4-0 victory in the final held in Ranchi on Sunday. The host nation, supported by an enthusiastic crowd, displayed a stellar performance to dethrone Japan and secure their second Asian Champions Trophy, the first being in 2016 in Singapore.
The goal scorers for India were local talent Sangita Kumari in the 17th minute, Neha Goyal in the 46th minute, Lalremsiami in the 57th minute, and Vandana Katariya in the 60th minute. This triumph marked India’s first major title since December 2022, when the Janneke Schopman-coached team secured the FIH Nations Cup in Valencia, earning them qualification for the Pro League.
The final faced a brief delay as one of the floodlights at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh AstroTurf Hockey Stadium failed to illuminate, causing a 50-minute postponement. However, once the match commenced, the Indian team showcased their dominance on the field, receiving spirited support from the Indian men’s team in the audience, who themselves had won the continental tournament in Chennai in August.
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