Indian men's hockey team defend Asian Champions Trophy title with hard-fought 1-0 win over hosts China
The Indian men's hockey team defended their Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 win over hosts China at the Moqi Training Base in Hulunbuir on Tuesday (September 17).
The Indians, who won all their matches in the lead-up to the finals of the competition, were held back by some diligent and determined defending from the Chinese.
Indian captain Harmanpreet Singh helped Jugraj Singh score the winning goal from open play in the final quarter of their Asian Champions Trophy final against China.
How the India v China Asian Champions Trophy final panned out
Vivek Sagar and Uttam Singh combined to create some anxious moments for the Chinese defence in the third minute as the Indians pushed hard for an early opening goal.
Raj Kumar Pal manufactured a penalty corner in the 10th minute but Harmanpreet Singh's drag flick was run down before the Indian captain shot wide on the re-award.
Wang Weihao used his kickers to stop Nilakanta Sharma's powerful strike in the 12th minute before thwarting Sukhjeet Singh's effort at the goalmouth immediately after.
Playing the ball after the whistle resulted in a short corner for the Chinese in the 14th minute. Krishan Pathak was called into action and did well to pull off a couple of creditable saves.
A full press employed by Craig Fulton's chargers five minutes before the half-time break was nullified by some exceptional defensive work by the Chinese before India earned their second penalty corner in the 27th minute.
The ball wasn't stopped cleanly but Harmanpreet Singh managed to take a shot which ricocheted off the goalpost.
Manpreet Singh took a tumble at the goalmouth which prompted the on-field umpire to award India a penalty stroke. But video umpire Hassan Rasool reversed the call at the stroke of half-time.
The Chinese created a penalty corner opportunity in the 38th minute but the speed of the injection was insufficient to manufacture a powerful drag flick.
The home side won another penalty corner which was upheld by the video umpire, causing India to lose their referral but China failed to get the shot on target in the 39th minute.
Harmanpreet Singh took it upon himself to create a chance for the Indians by advancing to the striking circle before finding Jugraj Singh who beat Wang Weihao to give the lead in the 51st minute.
India men notch up fifth win at Asian Champions Trophy
The Indians have won the Asian Champions Trophy for a record-extending fifth time.
Back in 2011, the Indian side, under the tutelage of Michael Nobbs, won the inaugural edition of the Asian Champions Trophy, beating Pakistan in a penalty shootout in the final.
Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh played a key role for his side in Ordos, China, before the Indians lost 4-5 to Pakistan in the final of the second edition at Doha in 2012.
A disappointing show from the Indians witnessed the team finish fifth in 2013 but they won the third edition which was played in 2016 after the tournament became a biennial event.
India and Pakistan were declared joint winners after rain forced the 2018 final to be abandoned. The Indians picked up the bronze medal in 2021 (after the 2020 event was postponed due to COVID).
India beat Malaysia 4-3 to triumph at the Asian Champions Trophy in Chennai last year.