All around India, the focus was on scoring goals. Can they convert open-play chances? Can they solve their Penalty corner problems? Let's start by focusing on their defence.
Tan Jinzhuang found space from a penalty corner to shoot on goal with 12 minutes left in the first-half. Bichu Devi, India's goalkeeper, quickly got up after diving to anticipate the first shot. This is what 'keepers are trained for. Bichu Devi dived like a football goalkeeper to her right and got her stick on the shot just in time.
If China had scored first, then the of the final would have been very different. They might have even shut down to frustrate India. When the Indian defense was put to the test in Rajgir, someone stepped up. Deepika's stick produced the decisive goal early in the third period. She had a mixed night but still managed to produce a crucial moment. India scored a Penalty Corner straight out of halftime. But after a botched injection trap, Deepika found herself in space within the circle, and she delivered a powerful reverse shot that beat the Chinese defense. She would miss a Penalty Stroke (that she had won so well in the first place), but finish as the top goal-scorer and player of tournament (11).
This was perhaps the story of India's tournament. Under the new head coach Harendra Singh they were able to solve all of their problems in seven matches and ended up with a 100% winning record. India won the tournament with 29 total goals. They conceded just two goals and kept a clean score in all six matches.
Harendra commented after the game, "The team has not had good results in recent years. I think that this match is like a tonic." "But we have to stay grounded, this is an encouraging start that gives us confidence, and shows us where we can improve."
"People talk about penalty corners. This is a procedure. Deepika, a 21-year old girl, delivered today. She may have missed some, but she and her team were able to play attacking hockey while maintaining a good defensive structure. What else can I ask? It is important to not forget our current path.
The coach, who was delighted to win a tournament in his native Bihar, said that the Asian Champions Trophy was just the beginning of the journey to LA 2028 and that 2026's World Cup and Asian Games would be the real test.
Harendra has stated that he plans to work with a group of 40 players in the future. This leaves the door wide open for many senior players, including Vandana, Nikki, Sonika and Monika who did not participate in this tournament. The performances of youngsters such as Sunelita, Vaishnavi and Beauty Dungdung mean that the veterans have a tough task to earn their place in the squad moving forward. The initial signs for India are positive if it promotes healthy competition within the team.
Harendra had a difficult situation going into the tournament. India won the title in Ranchi, last year. But that didn't really matter as they missed out on Olympic qualifying. The two Asian teams that made it to Paris in 2024 - Japan, and the eventual silver medalists China – brought squads with little experience. If India won the title again it would be a great achievement. If they had lost, that would have been considered a setback.
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