NEW DELHI: Young forward Deepika emerged as the standout performer, scoring a brilliant reverse hit goal that helped India secure their women’s Asian Champions Trophy title with a 1-0 victory over Olympic silver medallists China in an intense final in Rajgir, Bihar on Wednesday.
Deepika netted the decisive goal from a penalty corner in the 31st minute, concluding the tournament as the leading scorer with 11 goals.
India had previously defeated China 3-0 during the league phase.
This victory marked India’s third ACT championship, following their successes in 2016 and 2023.
The Indian squad now shares the distinction of being the most successful team in the tournament’s history alongside South Korea, both having won three titles.
Japan secured the third position by defeating Malaysia 4-1 in the bronze medal match earlier in the day.
The match witnessed an evenly contested battle between both teams. Despite numerous circle penetrations by both sides, their respective defensive lines remained impenetrable in the first two quarters.
The 17-year-old Sunelita Toppo displayed exceptional dribbling abilities and made impressive runs from both wings for India.
Three minutes into the second quarter, China earned their first penalty corner, but India’s reserve goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam made an outstanding diving save to block Jinzhuang Tan’s attempt.
India subsequently earned four penalty corners in the following two minutes, but struggled to convert any, with Deepika taking most of the attempts.
Penalty corner conversion remained problematic for India throughout the tournament, as evidenced in their semifinal against Japan where they failed to score from 13 opportunities.
China earned another penalty corner in the 23rd minute, but India’s first rusher defended effectively.
Later, captain Salima Tete created an opportunity for Sharmila Devi, whose first-time shot towards the near post went wide, leaving the score level at half-time.
India maintained pressure after the break and secured their fifth penalty corner immediately following the restart.
Deepika successfully converted this time, scoring with a reverse hit following a mishandled push.
In the 42nd minute, Deepika had an opportunity to score again when India was awarded a penalty stroke for a deliberate push inside the circle.
However, Chinese goalkeeper Li Ting made a remarkable reflex save to deny the Indian forward.
Shortly after, Ting made another crucial save, stopping Sushila Chanu‘s shot from India’s sixth penalty corner.
Trailing by one goal, China adopted an aggressive approach and managed several circle penetrations, but India’s defence remained resolute.
