New Delhi: Hockey India on Tuesday announced cash rewards for the victorious Indian national side following the 1-0 win over China in the Asian Champions Trophy final at the Moqi Hockey Training Base. India not only defended its continental title but extended the supremacy in Asia with five titles since the inception of the tournament in 2011.
Defender Jugraj Singh broke the deadlock in the 51st minute after both teams displayed tremendous defensive skills on the pitch, particularly the hosts China, who played its first final in front of a buoyant home crowd in Hulunbuir.
To reward the Indian team’s efforts, Hockey India announced a cash prize of INR 3 lakhs for each player and INR 1.5 lakhs for each support staff member, a release from the federation stated.
India’s Asian Champions Trophy heroes rewarded! 🏆🇮🇳
The victorious Indian Men’s Hockey Team gets a well-deserved bonus for their record 5th title win! Each player will receive ₹3 lakhs, while support staff members will be awarded ₹1.5 lakhs each.
This well-deserved reward… pic.twitter.com/cvI8avkpvx
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) September 17, 2024
The continental triumph comes more than a month after India claimed back-to-back bronze medals at the Paris Olympics after a 2-1 win over Spain. This was the first successive podium finish for India in the men’s field hockey since the 1972 Munich Olympics.
How did India overcome China’s defensive nous?
The Asian Champions Trophy final match started with Vivek Sagar Prasad entering the penalty circle to create the chance for Sukhjeet Singh. Sukhjeet’s powerful stroke was tremendously saved by China’s goalkeeper Wang Weihao. The first quarter was all about Weihao’s brilliance in the goalpost that saw China avoid a 3-0 trail. China played half-court press to counterattack with a bit of tacky defence from the defending champions.
10 members from the Chinese team were seen in the backline to avert every attempt from India to open their scoring account. Despite India holding the 84% possession in the first half, the team couldn’t score a goal after piling up 25 goals en route to the final.
It was a day when Harmanpreet Singh’s magic in the penalty corner didn’t help his side bail out the goalless timidity on the pitch. The Indian captain missed the penalty corner in the second quarter. However, Harmanpreet found fellow defender Jugraj in the circle as the latter slotted the ball into the bottom-right corner of the goalpost.
Jugraj’s goal came after China’s Changliang Lin started the final quarter with a couple of threating shots, though tackled by Indian defence.
To reward the Indian team’s efforts for lifting its fifth Asian Champions Trophy, Hockey India announced a cash prize of INR 3 lakhs for each player and INR 1.5 lakhs for each support staff member. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
