– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Kakamigahara, Japan
India ended a 44-year wait for an Asian Games women’s hockey gold medal on Friday, defeating defending champions and world No. 4 China 1-0 in a tense final in Japan to reclaim the continental title for the first time since 1982.
The victory also secured India’s qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The defining moments of the final came from Lalremsiami, who marked her 200th international appearance with the match-winning goal, and veteran goalkeeper Savita, whose crucial penalty-stroke save helped India protect their slender lead.
China began with greater possession and looked to establish control early, but India created the first clear opening in the fourth minute. Baljeet Kaur combined with Ishika inside the 23-yard area and moved into the striking circle, only for a timely flat-stick tackle from a Chinese defender to end the move.
China appealed for a penalty corner in the seventh minute after claiming a foot, but the umpire waved play on. A minute later, India were reduced to 10 players when Baljeet received a green card and was sent off for two minutes.
Despite the numerical disadvantage, India struck in the 10th minute with a superbly constructed attack.
Captain Salima Tete initiated the move with a purposeful run before combining with Sakshi Rana inside the circle. Sakshi then found Lalremsiami, who produced a brilliant reverse-stick strike from a difficult angle that flew into the Chinese goal to give India a 1-0 lead.
India almost doubled their advantage three minutes later. A clever one-two between Baljeet and Navneet Kaur down the right flank opened up the Chinese defence. Navneet then went for her trademark direct hit from the resulting penalty corner, but her effort narrowly missed the target.
China continued to enjoy more possession and made more circle entries, recording eight compared to India’s four while controlling 55 per cent of the ball. India, however, remained compact and disciplined in defence, ensuring Lalremsiami’s strike remained the difference.
China increased the pressure in the second quarter and earned a penalty corner in the 19th minute. They attempted a variation aimed at creating a first-time deflection, but Indian sticks intervened.
Another penalty corner followed, only for Navneet to produce an outstanding goal-line save.
China came even closer two minutes later. After a dangerous move inside the Indian circle, the umpire awarded a penalty stroke. India chose not to take a video referral, leaving Savita to face the challenge.
The experienced goalkeeper responded brilliantly, diving to her left to make a spectacular save and preserve India’s lead.
China continued to threaten, but India’s defensive organisation remained resolute. In the 24th minute, Shilpi Dabas read the danger perfectly and intercepted a threatening Chinese move near the goal-mouth, with Savita covering the near post.
India went into half-time 1-0 ahead despite China maintaining the advantage in possession and circle entries.
India survive another penalty-stroke scare:
The third quarter produced another major moment in the 33rd minute.
China won a penalty corner and, after another chance on goal, were initially awarded a penalty stroke when the ball appeared to strike Navneet’s foot. India immediately referred the decision.
The review overturned the penalty-stroke decision, reducing it to a penalty corner.
Salima Tete then produced another crucial defensive intervention, blocking the resulting flick with her flat stick. She injured her right hand in the process and was forced to leave the field for treatment.
China began to show signs of frustration as loose passes and unforced errors crept into their game. India remained resolute, although their midfield movement was less fluent than it had been during the opening two quarters.
The third quarter ended goalless, leaving India 1-0 ahead after 45 minutes. China had increased their circle entries to 21, compared to India’s nine, but the equaliser continued to elude them.
India hold firm under late pressure:
China threw everything forward in the final quarter, with the urgency increasing with every passing minute.
India, however, defended with discipline and composure, absorbing wave after wave of Chinese attacks while protecting their narrow advantage.
When the final hooter sounded, the 1-0 scoreline remained unchanged.
Lalremsiami’s stunning strike had proved decisive, but India’s historic triumph was built on a collective defensive effort, with Savita’s penalty-stroke save and several timely interventions keeping China at bay.
India were crowned Asian Games women’s hockey champions, ending a 44-year wait for the gold medal and securing their place at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.
For Salima Tete’s team, it was a memorable triumph forged through resilience, defensive discipline and composure under relentless pressure.
