India clinched their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over China in the final held in Moqi on Tuesday evening.
Jugraj Singh’s goal in the 51st minute proved to be the match-winner in a contest that saw India struggle against a resilient Chinese defense.
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India, the top-ranked team in the tournament, found themselves frustrated by China, who despite being the lowest-ranked side, put up a valiant fight. The win reaffirmed India's dominance in Asian hockey.
How did India overcome China's stubborn defense?
The match began with India launching relentless attacks, but they were constantly denied by Chinese goalkeeper Wang Weihao.
He pulled off a series of exceptional saves, frustrating Indian forwards like Sukhjeet Singh, Manpreet Singh, and Raj Kumar Pal in the opening quarter.
However, the decisive moment came when Harmanpreet Singh initiated a brilliant run down the left flank and delivered a perfectly placed pass to Jugraj Singh, who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom corner of the net.
Previous Winners of the Asian Champions Trophy
Here is the list of the Previous Winners of the Asian Champions Trophy:
| Year | Winner | Score | Runner-up |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | India | 0–0 (4–2 S.O.) | Pakistan |
| 2012 | Pakistan | 5–4 | India |
| 2013 | Pakistan | 3–1 | Japan |
| 2016 | India | 3–2 | Pakistan |
| 2018 | India and Pakistan | Joint winners | Malaysia |
| 2021 | South Korea | 3–3 (4–2 S.O.) | Japan |
| 2023 | India | 4–3 | Malaysia |
| 2024 | India | 1–0 | China |
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What’s next for the Indian hockey team?
With the Asian Champions Trophy title in hand, India caps off a successful 2024, a year that also saw them win a bronze at the Paris Olympics.
India’s next challenge will be the 12th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup, taking place from 19th to 26th October 2024 in Malaysia.
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This prestigious Under-21 hockey tournament will see India competing against top teams like Australia, Pakistan, Germany, Great Britain, New Zealand, South Africa, and the host nation, Malaysia.