Ranchi : After a few nervous moments, the Indian hockey team defeated China 2-1 to exact revenge for their defeat at the Asian Games and to extend their unstoppable run at the women’s Asian Champions Trophy on Monday.
China’s Zhong Jiaqi scored in the 41st minute, while the hosts’ Deepika (15th) and Salima Tete (26th) scored first.
India’s hopes of qualifying directly for the Tokyo Olympics were dashed by China, who defeated them in the Asian Games semifinals in Hangzhou last month. However, India paid it forward in their third group round match on Monday to maintain their top spot.
India launched an offensive at first, attempting to advance from left to right, but the Chinese erected a defensive wall to obstruct whatever the hosts try to do.
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India was in control, and Jyoti Sonika won their first penalty, but stopper Monika’s error cost them. With only 30 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Deepika expertly converted the penalty stroke that the hosts had just been granted.
Early in the second quarter, China achieved a circle penetration, but India was able to fend off any threat.
Lalremsiami’s two-minute suspension put India down a player, but China was unable to take advantage of the situation.
India took a 2-0 lead because to a spectacular reverse hit by local talent Salima Tete in the 25th minute, close to the circle.
China received a penalty call in the closing seconds of the second quarter, but Indian defenders held strong to take a commanding advantage at the break.
Vandana Katariya, in her 299th game, earned another PC for India, but the Chinese defense held strong.
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China began to exert constant pressure on India, but Savita resisted by blocking a potentially dangerous play from the left and kicking the ball away to neutralize the Chinese onslaught.
But with four minutes remaining in the quarter, China got their second PC and went for a variation, as Zhong Jiaqi scored their first goal by putting the ball beyond Savita.
China started the last quarter aggressively, trying to control the midfield and find an equalizer.
The ball shot dangerously high in the air during the altercation, earning China a PC shortly after. India requested a review, but the video umpire made a different decision.
Before long, there was a momentary disruption as the floodlights failed. China was unable to convert the PC when resumed play because India maintained its lead.
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Following Vandana’s yellow card for tripping a Chinese player with her stick during a tackle, India had ten players left for the final five minutes of play.
With five minutes remaining, China, desperate for an equalizer, earned another penalty kick but wasted it by substituting a field player for the goalkeeper. With three minutes remaining, the Asian Games champions went on another offensive rampage and came dangerously close to scoring as India pulled through.
