Indian team celebrating after winning the Champions Trophy.
– Photo: Amar Ujala
Expansion
Under the blue sky, on the blue ground, the host Indian team, riding on the Ashwamedha chariot of victory, broke the impenetrable wall of China in the title match and won the title for the second consecutive time. The Indian women’s hockey team became the leader of Asian hockey by capturing the Asia Champions Trophy in Rajgir, a historical city surrounded by picturesque hills. Indian hockey team’s chief coach Dr. Harendra Singh’s warriors put pressure on the powerful Chinese team from the very beginning of the match in this exciting battle full of ups and downs. China’s coach Huang Yongsheng had fielded the team with a new strategy today. China’s star players Yunxia Fan, Ou Zixia remained a hindrance for the Indian team today. India maintained its hold throughout the match. The Indian team had 52% ball control, made eight circle entries and shot on goal five times. The Indian team got six penalty corners, one of which was converted into a goal, shattering China’s dream of winning the Asia Champions Trophy for the first time. By scoring this golden goal for India, star player Deepika took her personal goal count to 11. Deepika, who commanded the golden victory, received the Top Scorer and Player of the Tournament awards.
Disciplined play blunted China’s powerful attack
Mizoram’s Lalremsiami received the Player of the Match award. Played an important role in the victory of the Indian team with his aggressive play throughout the tournament. Mid field has been the strongest link of the Indian team. Captain Salima Neha and Sharmila, who played with their speed and intelligence throughout the tournament, stopped China’s attack at the half line and created coordination between the defense and the forwards. In the defensive line, Udita, Vaishnavi, Sushila and Jyoti blunted China’s powerful attack with clean taking and disciplined play.
Olympic silver medalist dominated China
The Indian hockey team displayed a great blend of Indian and European styles of hockey. The confident Indian team, with its physical strength, mental toughness, excellent coordination and stick work, dominated Olympic silver medalist China. The Indian hockey team, undefeated in the entire competition, reached the final by defeating Malaysia, Korea, Thailand, China, Japan in the round robin league and Japan in the semi-finals. In this Champions Trophy, Indian hockey got many rising stars like Sangeeta, Beauty, Sonelita, Jyoti, Vaishnavi and Ishika. The responsibility of the future will be on these players.
The popularity of hockey has increased in Bihar with this victory.
Today, the excitement and enthusiasm of the sports loving spectators of the historical and religious city Rajgir, the former capital of Magadha, was worth seeing. For the first time, hockey lovers of Bihar have got the opportunity to hoist the tricolor on such a big victory on their soil. Congratulations to Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar, Hockey India, Sports Minister, Sports Department, Sports Authority and especially the organizer of this event Ravindran Shankaran for this successful event. For Bihar, which witnessed this golden victory, this event will prove to be a milestone in promoting sports and sports culture. With this victory the popularity of hockey has increased in Bihar. This popularity needs to be converted into opportunity. After this historic successful event, if we provide infrastructure, right encouragement and proper respect to the budding players, then in the future, the players of Bihar will also give us the opportunity to hoist the tricolor.
