Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Jugraj Singh’s lone goal helps India defend title, beat China in final

Moqi (Hulunbuir): India successfully defended their Asian Champions Trophy hockey title on Tuesday, clinching a hard-fought 1-Zero victory over hosts China all over the place the final word at the scenic Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir. Jugraj Singh’s decisive strike all over the place the 51st minute sealed the win, making India the foremost a success team all over the place the tournament’s history with a record-extending 5 titles.

India also became the right team to win the title 5 times, having retained the trophy for the 2nd consecutive edition after their triumph in 2023. India had previously achieved back-to-back titles in 2016 and 2018. To reward the team’s efforts, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs three lakhs for every player and Rs 1.5 lakhs for every improve personnel member.

The final word saw both teams jostling to in finding their rhythm early on, with India’s Vivek creating the primary major chance as he slipped into the circle and arrange Sukhjeet, whose audacious shot between his legs forced a swift save from Chinese goalkeeper Wang Weihao. India applied steady pressure all over the place the primary quarter, probing for openings, while China adopted a 0.5-court press to counterattack when India’s defence was exposed.

India’s forwardline, including Rajkumar, Sukhjeet, Nilakanta, and Raheel, consistently tested the Chinese defence, while captain Harmanpreet Singh narrowly missed with a penalty corner flick. China replied with a penalty corner of their very own, but Krishan Pathak was sharp to deny Jiesheng Gao’s attempt.

The 2nd quarter saw India slowing the sport’s tempo, in search of gaps in China’s tight defence. Sukhjeet earned the opposite penalty corner late all over the place the 0.5, but Harmanpreet’s shot deflected off the post. China’s Benhai Chen then launched a counterattack, best for Jugraj Singh to make a critical sliding tackle, keeping the score Zero-Zero at 0.5-time.

The third quarter brought increased intensity from India, but China’s defence remained steadfast. Harmanpreet’s passes found Abhishek on greater than one occasions, but they struggled to remodel. China earned two penalty corners midway at some stage in the quarter, but Pathak’s reflexes kept the score level. China ended the quarter by putting pressure on the Indian defence, but India held firm.

China’s Changliang Lin made a pair of dangerous runs early all over the place the fourth quarter, but India soon took keep watch over. India’s persistence paid off when, with time running out, Harmanpreet Singh found Jugraj Singh all over the place the circle, and he expertly slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner to offer India the critical lead.

China replied by pushing forward in search of an equalizer, leading to an end-to-end finale. Alternatively, India remained composed, controlling possession and running down the clock to secure the 1-Zero win and their fifth Hero Asian Champions Trophy title.

List of ACT 2024 Award Winners

Top Goal Scorer of the Tournament – Yang Jihun (9 Goals) – Korea

Promising Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Kim Jaehan – Korea

Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament – Wang Caiyu – China

Rising Famous person of the Tournament – Hanan Shahid – Pakistan

Player of the Tournament – Harmanpreet Singh – India