Indian women’s hockey team beat China 5-4 in the final of 2017 Women’s Asia Cup in Kakamigahara, Japan via penalty shoot-out. The win came just after some days their male counterparts won the title in Bangladesh. It is a rare double for India in the continental competitions. South Korea are the only other team to achieve this feat. They won both men’s and women’s Asia Cup in 1994.
In the first quarter, both the teams failed to score. But Navjot Kaur gave India the all-important lead with a brilliant field goal in the 25th minute. China found a late equaliser through the penalty corner of Tiantia Luo in the 47th minute. After 60 minutes of play, the scoreline remained 1-1, forcing a penalty shoot-out.
In the shoot-out, both the sides failed to break the deadlock at 4-4. Then, in the sudden death, captain Rani Rampal scored for India, while Liang Meiyu’s shot was stunningly saved by goalkeeper Savita. India won 5-4 that saw them qualify for the 2018 World Cup in England as the continental champions. Savita was adjudged the best goalkeeper of the tournament.
India eves remained unbeaten in the tournament. In the pool stage, India beat Singapore 10-0, China 4-1 and Malaysia 2-0. In the quarter-final, India thrashed Kazakhstan 7-1 before beating defending champions Japan 4-2. I
