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Defending champions India overcame their toughest battle and advanced to the top four of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024. The hosts took down Olympic silver medallist China 3-0 to secure their berth in the semifinals of the ongoing tournament on Saturday, November 16. The game saw India scoring two field goals through Sangita Kumari in the 32nd minute and skipper Salima Tete in the 37th minute.
Later in the 60th minute Deepika, who is also the tournament’s highest scorer, converted a penalty corner. The win against world No. 6 China was India’s fourth straight win in the tournament. With this win, India are now on the top of the points table. China, on the other hand, have moved to second place with six points from four matches that they have played so far. The Women win Blue will be up against Japan in their next game on Sunday.
India’s offensive gameplay guaranteed them fourth win of tournament.
The hosts began playing the game on offensive note right from the beginning and made the most of their opportunities without any success. They secured their first real chance in the opening minute of the game in the form of back-to-back penalty corners but wasted both the opportunities. A few minutes later, Sharmila Devi essayed a pass to Sunelita Toppo, whose first-touch gave Deepika a one-on-one situation, eventually leading to India’s opening goal.
India secured their second penalty corner in the 21st minute but failed to avail it. Minutes later, home favourites secured another corner but Manisha Chahuhan’s flick was saved by the Chinese goalkeeper. In the 32nd minute, Sangita met with Sushila Chanu’s defence splitting pass from the midfield. India then soon doubled their lead with another fine goal.
Skipper Salima found the target after she was set up by Beauty Dung Dung and Preeti Dubey. China, who were desperate for goals, withdrew their goalkeeper with little over three minutes to go and the move backfired as India scored their third goal in the final minute.
