Mohali (Punjab) [India], November 6 (ANI): Defending champions India scripted historical past by clinching a record-extending sixth Asian Champions Trophy title after producing a shocking comeback to defeat Japan 4-1 within the last performed on the Olympian Balbir Singh Senior International Hockey Stadium, Mohali, on Thursday.
With this victory, India accomplished a hat-trick of consecutive titles, having gained in 2023 and 2024 additionally, and completed the event unbeaten with 7 wins from 7 matches, in accordance with a press launch.
Japan, enjoying their third last, gave India an enormous scare by taking an early lead. Kazumasa Matsumoto struck a superb backhand within the third minute to place Japan 1-0 forward, and Japan held the lead until half-time.
India fought again strongly after the break. Shilanand Lakra equalised within the forty second minute off a penalty nook variation from captain Harmanpreet Singh.
The hosts then ran riot within the last quarter. Dilpreet Singh made it 2-1 within the forty seventh minute, Jugraj Singh prolonged the result in 3-1 with a thunderous drag-flick within the 52nd minute, and Vivek Sagar Prasad sealed the 4-1 win a minute later within the 53rd minute.
India, who had overwhelmed Japan 4-1 within the league stage additionally at Jalandhar, have now gained the title in 2011, 2016, 2018 (shared), 2023, 2024 and 2026. Japan are nonetheless ready for his or her maiden title, having misplaced finals in 2013, 2021 and now 2026.
Captain Harmanpreet Singh led the staff brilliantly all through the event, whereas Hardik Singh, Amit Rohidas, Shilanand Lakra and goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak performed key roles within the last triumph.
In the Bronze medal match performed earlier within the day, Malaysia clinched the bronze medal with a commanding 5-2 win over South Korea after recovering from a 1-2 deficit.
Fitri Saari gave Malaysia the lead within the 2nd minute, however South Korea hit again by way of a penalty nook by Park Geun Woo within the fifth minute and took the lead by way of Chun Semin within the thirteenth minute.
Malaysia stormed again within the final two quarters. Veteran ahead Faizal Saari levelled the scores with a penalty nook conversion within the thirty fourth minute.
Abu Kamal Azrai then starred with a brace, scoring within the forty fifth and fiftieth minutes, to place Malaysia forward 4-2 and was adjudged Man of the Match. Captain Marhan Jalil accomplished the rout with a penalty nook purpose within the 58th minute to seal a 5-2 victory for the Speedy Tigers.
The last was performed in entrance of a packed home in Mohali, which hosted the knockout stage of the event. The league stage was performed on the Olympian Surjit Hockey Stadium, Jalandhar. (ANI)