Indian women’s hockey team beat China 3-2 in penalty shootout in the final of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman, on Sunday to successfully defend its title.
Jinzhuang Tan (30’) scored the first goal for China but Kanika Siwach (41’) bagged the equaliser in the third quarter for India as the match went into a penalty shootout. India’s goalkeeper Nidhi made three crucial saves during the penalty shootout to help her side lift the title.
Hockey India, announced a reward of Rs 2 lakh for each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff for everyone’s effort and winning the championship.
Both sides were equal stride for stride in the first quarter as they tried to find an opening goal. The possession was shared and both teams created good opportunities but couldn’t break the deadlock. India received two penalty corners but they were defended well by the Chinese to keep it all square.
READ | Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024: Defending champion India prevails 3-1 over Japan; makes it to final
India started the second quarter strong by dictating the play but couldn’t create a good scoring chance in the shooting circle. China gained the upper hand towards the end of second quarter and pressurised the Indian backline. With just 14 seconds left on the clock, China received a golden opportunity in the form of a penalty stroke. Jinzhuang Tan stepped up to the spot and scored past the Indian goalkeeper to give China a slim lead heading into the second half.
The third quarter saw India aggressively attack and dominate the game. Deepika broke into a solid dribble, broke through the Chinese defence and won a penalty corner for her side. Deepika attempted a drag-flick towards goal which was met by a string of saves by the Chinese goalkeeper. Moments later in the 41st minute, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika progressed the ball ahead with some clinical passes and found Kanika inside the shooting circle, who scored a beautiful field goal to get back on level terms. The score was 1-1 as both sides entered the fourth quarter.
It was all to play for in the final fifteen minutes of the game as both sides went hammer and tongs in search of a winning goal. India received a penalty corner with ten minutes left on the clock but the chance went begging and Deepika’s shot went narrowly wide. Moments later, China too squandered a penalty corner in a similar fashion. Despite both sides going all out on the field, they couldn’t be separated in the four quarters played and the final went into a penalty shootout.
Sakshi Rana, Ishika and Sunelita scored for India in the penalty shootout. Goalkeeper Nidhi made three brilliant saves against Lihang Wang, Jingyi Li and Dandan Zuo to ensure India defended its title.
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