Following her side’s win over China in their Asian
Champions Trophy match, Indian skipper Savita Punia said that after losing to
China in the Asian Games semis, the entire team wanted to perform well and
lauded her side’s defensive game and credited all players for the emphatic win.
Bharat kept their winning run in the tournament alive
with a thrilling 2-1 win over China in Ranchi on Monday.
After the match, Savita told the media, “Credit goes
to the whole team, they played well as a unit. China is a big team and we lost
to them in the Asian Games semis.
So, we all wanted to perform well as a team. It was a
really close match. China has some great drag-flickers so we had to perform
well as a defending side and we did well. Our work hard proved useful.”
Also, coach Janneke Schopman said she liked the team’s
mindset and attitude and they will have to be ready for an aggressive Japan
side, their next opponents.
“I am happy with the mindset and the attitude with
which our team played today. We showed up from the start. I want our penalty
conversion to be a threat and we are getting closer to it. We played some good
hockey today. They (Japan, next opponents) are playing really aggressively and
we have to stay ready for it. We move the ball well,” said Schopman.
Deepika (15’) and Salima Tete (26’) netted a goal each
for Bharat, while China’s lone goal came from Jiaqi Zhong (41’).
Bharat quickly established a fluid passing tempo,
asserting their dominance over China in the opening quarter. They commanded the
lion’s share of possession, continuously making circle entries and subjecting
China’s defense to a series of rigorous tests.
The Indian squad’s offensive strength was on full
display as they managed to secure a penalty corner in the dying moments of the
first quarter. However, they couldn’t make the most of this opportunity.
Nevertheless, shortly thereafter, the home team earned
a penalty stroke, which Deepika (15’) expertly converted with a precise shot
into the bottom corner, granting Bharat a well-earned 1-0 advantage.
Trailing 1-0, China launched the second quarter with
an offensive approach, coming very close to levelling the score.
However, Indian Captain Savita displayed her
brilliance with a remarkable save, preserving Bharat’s lead.
Simultaneously, Bharat intensified their offensive
onslaught to maintain pressure on China, a tactic that paid off when Salima
Tete (26’), left unguarded, unleashed a well-placed and forceful shot from the
circle’s edge, notching Bharat’s second goal.
In the closing moments of the second quarter, China
earned a penalty corner, but Bharat’s resolute defense stood firm, ensuring
they entered halftime with a 2-0 advantage.
The third quarter kicked off with Bharat resuming
their offensive efforts, securing an early penalty corner that China’s defense
successfully thwarted, denying the hosts a chance to widen their lead.
Nevertheless, Bharat persisted in their relentless
attack, keeping China on the defensive. Meanwhile, China adjusted their
strategy by prioritizing possession and counter-attacks, a tactic that paid off
when Jiaqi Zhong (41’) capitalized on a penalty corner, narrowing the gap and
rekindling their hopes.
However, no more goals were scored in the penultimate
quarter as it concluded with the score at 2-1 in favour of Bharat.
Even with a narrow lead, Bharat remained committed to
their offensive style of play in the last quarter.
China, on the other hand, displayed shrewd possession
control and secured a couple of penalty corners, although they couldn’t
capitalize on these opportunities. As the clock ticked down, China escalated
their offensive efforts in pursuit of an equalizer, but Bharat’s defense stood
resolute to maintain their lead and secure a 2-1 victory in the match.
Bharat will next take on Japan in their fourth match
of the tournament on October 31 at 20:30hrs IST.
ANI
