India clinched its fifth Asian Champions Trophy title with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over China in the final held on September 17, 2024, at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir, China.
The decisive moment came when defender Jugraj Singh scored in the 51st minute, breaking a deadlock in a match that was intensely contested throughout.
India vs China Hockey Match Summary
The Indian team, led by captain Harmanpreet Singh, faced a resilient Chinese side that had previously lost to them 3-0 in the group stage. However, the final proved to be a different challenge as China showcased strong defensive capabilities and counter-attacking strategies.
First Half
The match began with India applying pressure, but they struggled to penetrate China’s organized defense. Early attempts by Indian forwards Raj Kumar Pal and Sukhjeet Singh were thwarted by Chinese goalkeeper Wang Weihao, who made several crucial saves.
India’s first penalty corner came in the 10th minute, but Harmanpreet’s shot went wide. Despite dominating possession, India could not convert their chances into goals, and the first half ended goalless.
Second Half
China emerged from halftime with renewed vigor, mounting attacks that tested India’s defense.
They earned multiple penalty corners but failed to capitalize, thanks to the alertness of Indian goalkeeper Krishan Bahadur Pathak. The game remained tense as both teams exchanged chances without finding the back of the net.
As the clock ticked down in the fourth quarter, India intensified their efforts. Jugraj Singh’s moment of brilliance came when he received a pass from Harmanpreet inside the circle and slotted it past Weihao into the bottom-right corner, finally breaking the deadlock.
Final Minutes
In response to trailing, China withdrew their goalkeeper for an extra field player in a desperate bid to equalize. However, India’s defense held firm under pressure, successfully managing possession and thwarting China’s attempts to level the score.
Asian Champions Trophy 2024 Achievements and Recognition
This victory marks India’s fifth title in the Asian Champions Trophy history, having previously won in 2011, 2016, 2018 (joint winners), and 2021. The win solidifies India’s status as the most successful team in the tournament’s history.
In recognition of their efforts, Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for each support staff member following their triumph.
