Kakamigahara, Japan: India created history as they edged past China 5-4 via shoot-outs to win the women’s Asia Cup hockey title here on Sunday.
With this, India also qualified for next year’s World Cup as continental champions.
It was skipper Rani, who scored the winning goal for India while Savita made a great save in sudden-death to ensure India the 5-4 score in the penalty shoot-out.
Earlier, it was Navjot Kaur who scored India’s lone goal in the 25th minute. It was in 2004 when the Indian women’s team lifted the Asia Cup after beating Japan 1-0 in the final.
It was advantage China right at the start as a stick check in the circle saw India concede a penalty corner in only the second minute of the game.
However, Savita was at her usual best to pad it away while an alert Deep Grace cleared the ball.
Soon after, the Indian forwards launched a swift attack with Navneet Kaur and Vandana working in tandem to find space in the Chinese defence but an attentive Wang Na averted the danger.
China, meanwhile, won their second penalty corner but Savita was spot on yet again to pad away Meiyu Liang’s flick.
With the first quarter ending in a stalemate, India came back looking determined to find a breakthrough. The Indian forwards kept the pressure on China as they made brave forays into the striking circle.
Navjot Kaur came close to converting a field goal in the 17th minute but her diving effort was blocked even as skipper Rani made a quick attempt to find a deflection.
It was not until the 25th minute when India found their first breakthrough when Navneet Kaur and Rani played give-and-take before penetrating the circle only to assist Navjot who took a clear shot on goal.
It was a much-needed 1-0 lead for India. Though China launched a counter attack soon after, the Indian defenders were up to the task in denying them success.
