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INTERNATIONAL: REGIONAL – ASIA / SPORTS – FIELD HOCKEY : India Wins 05th Asian Hockey Champions Trophy Title; Beats China Courtesy Jugraj Singh’s Solitary Goal

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India’s hockey team extended their winning streak in the Asian Champions Trophy by winning the tournament for the fifth time beating China 1-0 in the final. Jugraj Singh came up with an impressive field goal and helped the team seal a victory.

Indian hockey team continued their domination in the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy beating China 1-0 in the final. With a triumph at the Moqi Hockey Training Base, India won the title for the fifth time in the history of the tournament. Also, they were the only undefeated team in the tournament winning all of the seven matches they played.

Jugraj Singh was the difference between the two sides as he scored the solitary goal of the fixture in the fourth quarter as skipper Harmanpreet Singh provided an assist for the Indian defender. The decisive goal from Jugraj came in the 51st minute.

India and China had locked horns against each other in the tournament with the former winning the fixture by 3-0. Harmanpreet and Co. were coming into the game as favourites considering a superior ranking and previous record. However, China didn’t give up without a fight and made India fight hard to lift the title.

India triumphs after a fierce battle

The first real chance for India came in the ninth minute but the Chinese defence was up to the task to save it. When India got another chance, Harmanpreet missed the target. China looked stronger in the first quarter as they tasted Indian goalkeeper Krishan Pathak multiple times. China parked the bus in the second quarter but India had a chance in the 27th minute. Harmanpreet took aim at the goal but the ball bounced off the post. By the half-time, the scoreline was reading 0-0.

India started on an attacking note in the third quarter and produced a string of fine attacks but the Chinese defence was resolute once again. The first-time finalists created a couple of chances in the third quarter but the Indian team kept them at bay. The deadlock was finally broken in the 51st minute as Harmanpreet made a stellar run in the D and set up a goal for Jugraj who provided a brilliant finish.

India wins the Asian Champions Trophy for the fifth time

This was India’s record-breaking fifth title as they won the tournament earlier in 2011, 2016, and 2023. In 2018, they were the joint winners along with Pakistan who are the second-most successful side. Pakistan has won the tournament thrice while South Korea won the title in 2021. Notably, it was the best-ever tournament run for China as they made it to the final of the tournament for the first time.

Pakistan finished in third place

Pakistan beat South Korea by 5-2 in the match for the third position. Pakistan lost against China in the semi-final but made up for their loss by finishing the tournament at the third spot in the tournament.

source/content: etvbharat.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIOAL – ASIA: SPORTS / FIELD HOCKEY: India Secures 4-3 Victory over Malaysia to Clinch Asian Champions Trophy for the 4th time.

Jugraj Singh (9th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th) and Akashdeep Singh (56th) were the goal scores for India.

  India fought back from two goals down to eke out a 4-3 win over a spirited Malaysia in a thrilling final to claim their fourth Asian Champions Trophy title at the Mayor Radhakrishnan Stadium here on Saturday.

Jugraj Singh (9th minute), skipper Harmanpreet Singh (45th), Gurjant Singh (45th) and Akashdeep Singh (56th) were the goal scores for India.

For Malaysia, Abu Kamal Azrai (14th), Razie Rahim (18th) and Muhamad Aminudin (28th) found the back of the net.

It is India’s record fourth title, making it the most successful team in the event.

India had earlier thrashed Malaysia 5-0 in the round-robin league stage.

Malaysia were aggressive in the first half as the Indians found it difficult to restrict their opponents.

India converted their first penalty in the ninth minute with Jugraj scoring with a fierce flick to the right of the Malaysian goalie. The Indians got into their groove as the match progressed and played full-press hockey after a sluggish start. But Malaysia didn’t sit back and continued to test the Indian defence.

Their efforts bore fruit in the 14th minute when Azari found the back of the net after being fed by Azuan Hasan from the right flank. Seconds from the first quarter, India secured back-to-back penalty corners but wasted both the chances.

Malaysia kept up the tempo in the second quarter and earned consecutive penalty corners in the 18th minute, the second of which was converted by Rahim as the ball went in after getting a deflection from rusher Amit Rohidas’ stick.

Malaysia secured a penalty corner for an unnecessary stick check by Jugraj in the 23rd minute but the effort went wide.

Malaysia got another penalty corner in the 28th minute and this time Aminudin made no mistake to hand his side a 3-1 lead at half-time.

A couple of minutes after the the change of ends, India earned a penalty corner but failed to utilise the opportunity. The home team asked for a referral for another set piece, which was turned down by the TV referee. India worked well to win another penalty corner in the 36th, but Jugraj shot wide.

Sensing urgency, India switched to possession-based play. But the Malaysian defenders did well to intercept at the right time and keep the Indian attackers at bay.

Malaysia earned another penalty corner in the 43rd minute but India defended stoutly.

The Indians turned the match on its head in a span of a minute, pumping in two goals to level the scores 3-3.

While India skipper Harmanpreet scored from a penalty stroke in the 45th minute, seconds later Gurjant found the back of the net from field play to make the scoreline 3-3.

India secured a penalty corner six minutes from the final hooter, but Harmanpreet’s flick was saved by the opposition goalkeeper.

India kept up the pressure and earned another penalty corner soon, but Harmanpreet’s effort went wide.

Akashdeep scored the winner for India with a slap stick from top of the ‘D’ after receiving a pass from Mandeep Singh.

The Indians pressed hard in the final few minutes of the match, drawing two fine saves from the Malaysian goalkeeper.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)