AGENCY
SINGAPORE: The Indian women’s hockey team lifted its maiden Asian Champions Trophy after Deepika Thakur struck in the final minute to give her team a thrilling 2-1 win over China in the final here today.
Deepika slotted the rebound in from a penalty corner in the 60th minute of the game to give her team a memorable victory.
Earlier, Deep Grace Ekka converted a penalty corner to take India into the lead in the 13th minute before China equalised in the 44th minute through a field goal from Zhong Mengling. The welcome result for the Indian women’s team comes days after men beat Pakistan to reclaim the Asian Champions Trophy in Kuantan, Malaysia.
India’s best finish in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy came in the last edition in 2013 when it finished runner-up to Japan. It had finished third in the inaugural edition in 2010.
For the team’s triumph, Hockey India today also announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each for the players and chief coach Neil Hawgood.
Besides this, the federation also announced Rs 1 lakh for the other support staff of the team. A cash award for Rs 1 lakh was announced for Deepika, the highest Scorer of the tournament. (PTI)
