Rajgir (Bihar), 15 November. Reigning champions India will face the toughest competition when they take on defending Olympic silver medalists China in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy here on Saturday.
Both India and China are undefeated in the tournament so far, having won three matches each. But world number six team China (21) is on top of the points table due to better goal difference, while India’s goal difference is 18.
The top four teams after the round robin stage will qualify for the semi-finals of the six-team tournament. In the last two meetings between the two sides in the 2023-24 FIH Pro League in February this year, China emerged victorious on both occasions. Therefore, Saturday’s match is a great opportunity for India to settle the scores. But this is easier said than done because there is no difference between the two sides.
Both India and China have scored a lot of goals in three matches so far. After defeating Thailand 13-0, India’s goal tally has reached 20, but China is still on top with 22 goals.
The Indians played a near-perfect game against Thailand on Thursday and performed well in all their departments at the same time. The Salima Tete-led team scored eight field goals and five from penalty corners.
The best part was that India managed to score goals from set pieces (penalty corner or penalty stroke), which had been a matter of concern in the first two matches. The hosts converted five of the 12 penalty corners against Thailand, four of which came from direct efforts.
Thailand hardly tested the Indian backline but the forward line was brilliantly led by Deepika who scored five goals alone, including two from set pieces with direct drag-flicks.
Apart from Deepika, Preeti Dubey, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiami and beauty Dungdun and Sangeeta Kumari also performed brilliantly. Preeti, Lalremsiami and Manisha Chauhan scored two goals each.
Captains Salima and Neha Goyal brilliantly controlled the Indian midfield, while Sushila Chanu and Udita held the fort on the backline.
The only concern for India in the next match will be their lack of defence, as Savita Punia and Bichu Devi Karibam will hardly be challenged by the Thailand team.
The Indian midfield and defense will have to be at their best against the fast-paced Chinese players, who are known for their quick counter-attacks.
The second important thing will be how to get the ball from the backline to the Chinese circle. Compared to the previous game, the Indian strikers will also face a tough challenge against the Chinese players.
The most important thing will be to not rush the ball and make the right choices inside the opposition circle.
India head coach Harendra Singh said that the team needs to maintain the same structure as it had against Thailand. “I am happy that the team maintained its structure and managed to score goals by dodging the opponents.
“There was coordination between the defenders and the attacking midfielders and we need to do the same in the remaining matches,” Harendra said after Thursday’s match.
In other matches of the day, Malaysia will face Japan while Korea will take on Thailand.
