Ranchi (Jharkhand) [India], November 6 (ANI): Indian ladies’s hockey crew secured its second Women’s Asian Champions Trophy title after beating Japan by 4-0 within the title conflict at Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand on Sunday.
Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′) and Vandana Katariya (60′) registered their names on the scoresheet to guide India to an unimaginable win and their first ladies’s Asian Champions Trophy title after 2016, as per Olympics.com.
Following the win, Hockey India introduced a reward of Rs 3 lakh for every participant and Rs 1.5 lakh to every assist employees member.
“Hockey India has announced a reward of Rs 3 lakh each for all the players and Rs 1.5 lakh each for all the support staff of the winning team of the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023. Congratulations to TeamIndia HockeyIndia IndiaKaGame JWACT2023,” tweeted Hockey India.
Following a 45-minute delayed begin, the opening quarter was a closely-contested affair and India loved nearly all of ball possession. Japan seemed to counter-attack, Yuri Nagai had alternative to place his crew to an early lead, however his try was thwarted by Indian goalkeeper Savita Punia’s well timed interception.
Deepika got here shut to attain for India, however she shot a bit an excessive amount of and missed the goal.
World No. 11 Japan was compact defensively within the opening quarter however shortly after the second quarter began, Sangita Kumari opened India’s purpose tally and gave them the much-needed lead. The native woman acquired the ball in house and transformed the chance right into a purpose with a few touches.
Japan upped the assault and equalised through a strike from Shiho Kobayakawa, however a video evaluation confirmed that the ball touched her hand whereas scoring and the purpose was cancelled.
Towards the primary half finish, Japan gained many penalty corners however Savita Punia guarded the purpose effectively together with the remainder of the defenders.
After the third quarter went goalless, India obtained their second purpose by way of Neha through a penalty nook within the begin of the ultimate quarter.
Japan might have scored a purpose by way of a penalty nook however Savita defended effectively.
After a goalless third quarter, India lastly discovered their much-needed second purpose within the third quarter. A well-worked penalty nook was completed off by Neha.
Lalremsiami and Vandana Katariya got here by way of with two late objectives after that to spherical off the victory for India.
Following the title win, Indian coach Janneke Schopman mentioned to ANI, “You do not expect a scoreline of 4-0 in the final. It was tough, it was 2-0 and they got a penalty stroke and had they scored a goal, the game would have been wide open. I hoped we played better on the ball in the first half, we were a little hesitant. Savita is a great goalkeeper and did well today. The support here is amazing from fans and girls get a lot of energy from it.”Indian skipper Savita mentioned to ANI, “It feels good. When we came to play, we were tensed because Japan is a great team. We wanted to start well. Japan gave us a good fight for three quarters. Attacking hockey is our strength. We got a bit defensive after a goal in the first quarter. We talked about playing an attacking game later.” (ANI)