India Beat Japan 4-0 To Win Women's Asian Champions Trophy Hockey Title

Playing exhilarating hockey from the word go, an aggressive Indian women's team crushed title holders Japan 4-0 to lift its second Asian Champions Trophy title on Sunday. The match started 50 minutes late because of issues with the floodlights. India overcame the two-time champions through goals from Sangita Kumari (17th minute), Neha (46th), Laremsiami (57th) and Vandana Katariya (60th). India won their maiden Asian Champions Trophy title in 2016 in Singapore, while Japan bagged the crown twice, in 2013 and 2021.

The Indians started on an attacking note while Japan preferred to sit back and rely on counter attacks.

India got a golden opportunity to take lead but Deepika failed to find the net from an one-on-one situation with Japanese goalkeeper Akio Tanaka.

The Indians continued to dominate the possession as Japan were busy in defending.

The Japanese too had their share of chances but they failed to breach the resolute Indian defence.

Two minutes into the second quarter, India took the lead through Sangita who scored with a high hit after being fed by Neha Goyal.

The Indians continued their relentless attacks on the Japanese goal but failed to get the finishing touch.

Japan found the net in the second quarter through Shiho Kobayakawa but the goal was disallowed after India asked for referral for a body contact when the ball was received.

The Japanese upped their ante in the second quarter with continuous attacks but the Indian defence stood tall.

In the 25th minute, Japan secured three back-to-back penalty corners but the Indians defended in numbers to deny their opponents.

It was a neck-and-neck fight between the two teams after the change of ends with both India and Japan pressing hard for goals.

But goals eluded