India Vs China Final, Asian Champions Trophy Hockey 2024 Highlights: Harmanpreet And Co. Defend Their Title With A 1-0 Victory

Welcome to the live coverage of the final of the Asian Champions Trophy 2024. India and China are up against each other to win the trophy of the Asian Champions Trophy.

We are almost an hour away from the final of the Asian Champions Trophy. Meanwhile you can follow the third place match between Pakistan and Korea HERE

A big day for Chinese hockey today. They will find it difficult to win the tournament but the performance in this edition has definitely marked them as a rising Asian hockey power.

Here's a look at China men's national hockey team's best showings at major international events and tournaments:

• Hockey World Cup: 10th place (2018)

• Olympic Games: 11th place (2008)

• Asian Games: Silver medal (2006)

• Asia Cup: Bronze medal (1982 and 2009)

• Asian Champions Trophy: Fourth place (2012 and 2013)

• Sultan Azlan Shah Cup: Fourth (2014)

The last time India faced China in the Asian Champions Trophy, the defending champions secured a 3-0 victory during the group stage of the tournament.

India are a traditional hockey powerhouse while China are still a rising side in the sport. The same reflects in the head to head record too.

• Total Matches: 23

• India Won: 17

• China Won: 3

• Draw: 3

Great news for Indian hockey. Captain Harmanpreet Singh and former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh have been nominated for the FIH Player of the Year and FIH Goalkeeper of the Year awards, respectively, in this year’s FIH Hockey Stars Awards.

The game is about to begin, and we're ready to cheer for India.

The players are warming up, and the game will start with the national anthems shortly. Are we ready? Yes, we are.

The players walk out to a packed stadium, with every inch of the grass filled. We’ll begin with the national anthems, starting with China, followed by India.

And the first quarter begins.

Chinese fans are heard all around the stadium. It looks like India will need to tune out their chants and play so well that it turns the noise to silence.

Oh, a sharp snapshot from Nilakanta and Manpreet wins a free hit on the 23-yard line and quickly passes to Sumit, who sends Nilakanta racing down the right. Nilakanta takes a powerful, low shot, but it's right at goalkeeper Wang, who easily pads it away.

Vivek Sagar made a clever circle entry along the left baseline, maneuvering through a sea of red shirts before passing it to Sukhjeet. Sukhjeet flicked the ball behind him, aiming for the goal, but the Chinese goalkeeper made a solid save with his kick. As we thought, India has been making the better moves so far. And There is a penalty corner for India.

India earned a penalty corner, but Harmanpreet missed it. He puts wide of the post to the goalkeeper's right -- a rare sight. It seems the constant roar of the opponent's fans took its toll. Despite this, the Indians are still well-positioned. He has seven goals in the tournament so far.

Wang’s red-hot form continues, as he keeps saving shots and becomes a major obstacle for India. While India is slowly finding their rhythm, occasional flashes of brilliance won’t be enough, even against the lowest-ranked team.

Uttam appears to have an issue with his foot. While trying to close down Gao, the defender’s powerful slap shot hit the top of Uttam's foot. He has left the field for the time being.

China win a penalty corner due to a mistake by Jarmanpreet, who played the ball after the whistle had gone. This error gives China a crucial opportunity to take the lead.

However, Pathak makes a great save. Gao’s drag flick was powerful and on target, but Pathak smartly moves to his right and pushes it away from danger.

The second half is underway with a goalkeeper swap, as Suraj Karkera replaces Pathak. Raheel has been given a green card for a tackle from behind, though the tackle didn’t seem dangerous or wrong. But, as always, the umpire’s decision is final. India will be a player down for the next two minutes.

China make it into the Indian circle but fails to make anything of it. Both teams are looking desperate to score. India not quite able to find the passing angles.

This is now the 'slowest start' for India. The latest opening goal for the defending champions came against these same opponents in their tournament opener—a 14th-minute goal by Sukhjeet Singh.

India seem to be playing a different game, possibly accustomed to scoring early goals. In this second quarter, they’re focusing on a patient build-up, but it’s been a bit too slow. China maintained a strong defensive shape, and India’s lack of pace in their attacks is working in China’s favor. But none of the teams been able to capitalize on anything.

China show impressive footwork and defense, while Fulton appears frustrated on the sideline. India dropped a few gears in the second quarter, failing to penetrate or create any goal-scoring opportunities since the break.

Even luck seems to be favoring China, as Harmanpreet misses his third penalty corner. Harmanpreet's shot hits the post. Although Vivek mistrapped the PC, he kept it alive and passed it back to Harmanpreet. Despite Wang being out of position, the post comes to China’s rescue.

Half Time Hooter Blows - India clear the ball from the circle as Suraj Karkera pushes it away. The hooter sounds, and both teams head into halftime with the score still 0-0.

Goals - IND 0-0 CHN

Possession - IND 84% - 16% CHN

PC - IND 4 - 1 CHN

Krishan Pathak is back in goal for India, replacing Karkera, who will most probably come back out in the fourth quarter.

Fulton is intensely energetic on the sidelines, urging his players to accelerate their pace with the ball. Jugraj seems to have injured himself inside the Chinese circle but manages to stand up and walks fine.

India dominate possession, but China remain resolute in defense. The question is, how long can they maintain this? China win a penalty corner—things are getting intense. And India defended it successfully.

China are awarded another penalty corner after Vivek fails to retreat five yards on a Chinese free hit. However, India has referred the decision, claiming the ball wasn’t stopped before the restart. And, India lose their referral and China will have their PC. But good save by Pathak

This quarter has been incredibly frustrating for the Indian side. They desperately need a goal or at least an opportunity to regain momentum.

It remains goalless at the end of the third quarter. China been more assertive in attack during this period, creating a few openings while maintaining a solid defense. This is becoming a concern for India, as they’re accustomed to scoring early in this tournament.

With only 15 minutes left and still no goals, China got the game in the territory they desired. It’s goalless as we head into the final quarter, with Karkera back in goal for India. The big question now is: can they find a winner?

Finalllllllllly, India got the goal they needed the most. Harmanpreet sets up a field goal for Jugraj. What a Move -- The skipper creates an overload on the left, dribbling superbly under Chinese pressure. His perfect cut-back finds Jugraj in space, who finishes confidently past Wang.

With just two minutes left, it’s clear that India’s game plan is to retain possession until the final whistle. By keeping the ball well, they’ve minimized any threat to their goal since scoring.

India clinch the Asian Champions Trophy with a hard-fought victory in the final.

Lin Changliang of China becomes Hero of the match.

Kudos to China for their outstanding performance. Despite finishing last in the table, making it to the final and keeping the defending champions, the highest-ranked team, on their toes while conceding only one goal is a significant achievement. China even dominated possession in the second half and defeated another Asian giant, Pakistan, to reach this stage. It marks a notable rise for China in hockey.

For the fifth time, India won the men’s Asian Champions Trophy, but it was a tight contest. China, making their first-ever appearance in a final, put up a stunning defensive display and even had some chances in the third quarter to frustrate the favorites. However, a moment of brilliance from two Indian defenders, Harmanpreet Singh assisting Jugraj Singh secured the win for India.

YANG Jihun of South Korea for scoring nine goals.

KIM Jaehan of South Korea

WANG Caiyu of China

SHAHID Hannan of Pakistan

Harmanpreet Singh of India

India waited patiently, battling through three quarters against a resolute Chinese defense in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 final. It was Jugraj Singh who finally broke the deadlock in the 51st minute, scoring the only goal of the match and securing the win for the defending champions.

China put up an unexpectedly strong fight, but India held on to claim the title. That's all for today, we'll see you tomorrow with more live coverage. Until then, goodbye.