The Indian women’s team registered an emphatic win over their Japanese counterparts in the final of the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi on Sunday to claim the coveted title.
Sangita Kumari opened the scoring for the women in blue before Neha, Lalremsiami and veteran Vandhana Katariya all scored to win the summit clash in style.
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Following the win, Hockey India announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh each for all the players and Rs 1.5 lakh each for all the support staff of the winning team.
The hosts finished the tournament unbeaten as they decimated all the obstacles they faced en route to the championship match, which they ultimately ended up winning too.
The Indian women brushed aside the South Korean challenge in the semifinals with a 2-0 win to follow their 5-0 rout in the final group match over the same opponents.
China got the better of South Korea in the other game of the day as they managed to take home the bronze medal in the game between the two losing semifinalists.
The Indians started on an attacking note while Japan preferred to sit back and rely on counter attacks.
India got a golden opportunity to take lead but Deepika failed to find the net from an one-on-one situation with Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka.
The Indians continued to dominate the possession as Japan were busy in defending.
The Japanese too had their share of chances but they failed to breach the resolute Indian defence.
Two minutes into the second quarter, India took the lead through Sangita who scored with a high hit after being fed by Neha Goyal.
The Indians continued their relentless attacks on the Japanese goal but failed to get the finishing touch.
Japan found the net in the second quarter through Shiho Kobayakawa but the goal was disallowed after India asked for referral for a body contact when the ball was received.
The Japanese upped their ante in the second quarter with continuous attacks but the Indian defence stood tall.
In the 25th minute, Japan secured three back-to-back penalty corners but the Indians defended in numbers to deny their opponents.
It was a neck-and-neck fight between the two teams after the change of ends with both India and Japan pressing hard for goals.
But goals eluded them in the third quarter as the defence of both the sides were up to the task.
The Indians came out all guns blazing in the fourth quarter and pressed hard on the Japanese goal, and their efforts bore fruit.
A minute into the fourth quarter, India secured three consecutive penalty corners. Neha scored from Deep Grace’s hit.
India continued to put pressure on the Japanese defence, which resulted in success when in the 57th minute Lalremsiami scored from a rebound after Udita’s initial strike from a penalty corner was saved by the Japanese keeper.
Just before the final hooter, Vandana registered her name in the score sheet, scoring a fine field goal as the Indians recorded an emphatic victory.
Earlier in the day, Asian Games champions China beat South Korea 2-1 to secure the third place.
Yi Chen (3rd minute) and Tiantian Luo (47th) scored for the winners while Sujin An (38th) found the target for Korea.
(With Inputs From PTI)
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