India beat China 1-0 to claim Asian Hockey Champions Trophy title

HULUNBUIR CITY: Jugraj Singh scored the only goal to help India clinch their fifth Asian Hockey Champions Trophy title after defeating China 1-0 at the Moqi Hockey Training Base on Tuesday.

Both teams battled hard, denying any advantage to the other side, however, Jugraj Singh found the net in the dying minutes of the game to secure India’s victory.

Notably, defending champions India walked into the final unbeaten in the tournament. They defeated South Korea 4-1 in the semi-final, thanks to skipper Harmanpreet Singh’s brace.

The Men in Blue had a dream start to the knockout clash as Uttam Singh opened the scoring for them in the first quarter.

The defending champions, fuelled with momentum, continued to attack South Korea’s defences and were rewarded in the second quarter when Harmanpreet Singh doubled their lead.

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The Men in Blue were even more ruthless in the third quarter.

Just two minutes into the third quarter, midfielder Sumit Walmiki made a sensational aerial switch to Jarmanpreet Singh, who brilliantly brought it down before smashing a stunning goal to make it 3-0 for India.

South Korea responded within a minute when Yang Jihun pulled one back but his strike eventually turned out to be solitary.

Harmanpreet once again breached Korea’s defence in the dying minutes of the third quarter and restored India’s lead to three goals.

The fourth quarter remained goalless despite several attempts from both sides.

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