The Indian Women’s Hockey Team won the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 final after Deepika’s 31st-minute goal secured a 1-0 victory over China, guiding the host nation to their third WACT title.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team wins the Asian Champions Trophy.
The final match, held on November 20, 2024, at the iconic Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar, witnessed a thrilling contest as India defended their crown in front of a packed home crowd. This victory places India alongside South Korea as the most successful team in Asian Champions Trophy history with three titles to each of them. China finished as runners-up, while Japan claimed third place after defeating Malaysia 4-1 in the bronze medal match.
The turning point of the final came in the 31st minute when India’s ace forward, Deepika Sehrawat, struck a powerful reverse hit to give India the lead. Despite missing a penalty stroke later in the match, her contributions were pivotal, securing her title as Player of the Tournament with an impressive tally of 11 goals. India’s defence, led by goalkeeper Bichu Devi, stood firm against China’s relentless attacks, ensuring a clean sheet and the championship.
Tournament Highlights
A series of commanding performances defined India’s path to victory in Asian Champions Trophy 2024:
- Opening Match: India began their campaign with a commanding 4-0 win over Malaysia in their first group league match.
- Win over Resilient Korea: They followed this up with a hard-fought 3-2 victory against South Korea.
- Dominating Thailand: In their third group match, India decimated Thailand by scoring 13 goals, without conceding a single goal.
- Wins Over China and Japan: Their subsequent victories against China and Japan in the last two group games solidified their position at the top of the league table.
- Semi-Final against Japan: In the semi-final, India comfortably beat Japan by a two-goal margin, and set up a final against their neighbour, China.
- India vs China Final: India sealed the win with a 1-0 victory over the reigning Olympic bronze medalists in the final, courtesy of Deepika’s match-winning goal.
India’s campaign was a perfect mix of potent attack and disciplined defence, scoring 29 goals while conceding only two. The team maintained six clean sheets, thanks to their solid defensive structure under the guidance of head coach Harendra Singh.
Top Performers
The tournament showcased the emergence of new talent alongside experienced players in the Indian Team:
- Deepika Sehrawat, at just 21, became the tournament’s standout performer by scoring the most number of goals in the tournament.
- Young athletes Sunelita Toppo, Vaishnavi Phalke, and Beauty Dungdung showcased impressive performances, indicating a bright future for Indian hockey.
Coach Harendra Singh expressed pride in the team’s performance, calling this victory a “tonic” after recent challenges. He emphasized the importance of continuing their development journey and keeping their focus on the upcoming Hockey World Cup and the 2026 Asian Games.
Prize Money and Rewards
India’s victory at this year’s Asian Champions Trophy was recognized with substantial rewards from various organizations and government bodies:
• The apex body, Hockey India declared a cash prize of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for the support staff.
•The Bihar government, led by CM Nitish Kumar, announced a ₹10 lakh reward for each player and head coach Harendra Singh, with ₹5 lakh for support staff, in recognition of their success in the 2024 Asian Champions Trophy.
• The Asian Hockey Federation awarded India USD 10,000 as champions, while runners-up China and third-placed Japan received USD 7,000 and USD 5,000, respectively.
Congratulatory posts on Twitter
The Indian Women’s Hockey Team’s remarkable WACT 2024 win in Rajgir has garnered widespread praise across the nation. From Prime Minister Narendra Modi to Hockey India, several prominent figures have lauded their efforts on X (formerly Twitter).
Here are some of those tweets:
A phenomenal accomplishment!
Congratulations to our hockey team on winning the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy. They played exceptionally well through the tournament. Their success will motivate many upcoming athletes.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) November 21, 2024
Triple Crown Champions 🏆💙
From etching their name in history in 2016 to roaring back-to-back in 2023 and 2024, the Indian Women’s Hockey Team has claimed the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 𝕋ℍℝ𝕀ℂ𝔼 🌟🔥
A legacy of grit, glory, and greatness our Bharat Ki Sherniyan… pic.twitter.com/oHZ06q2HAf
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 21, 2024
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Indian Women’s Hockey Future Outlook
The Indian Women’s Team’s victory at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 highlights the growing strength of women’s hockey in India. This achievement, driven by a mix of youth and experience, inspires young athletes nationwide. With continued institutional and government support, the future of women’s hockey in India appears promising. Veterans like Vandana Katariya and Nikki Pradhan will face increasing competition from emerging talents, fostering a healthy internal rivalry and ensuring the team’s ongoing development. Coach Harendra Singh’s reappointment further solidifies his leadership, as he continues to steer the team toward success in international competitions.
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