India maintain unbeaten streak at Asian Champions Trophy, defeat Olympic silver medalists China 3-0 after securing SF spot

The Indian women's hockey team maintained their unbeaten streak in the Asian Champions Trophy following a creditable 3-0 win against Olympic silver medalists China on Saturday (November 16). With both India and China having secured semifinal spots ahead of the match, a packed stadium in Rajgir, Bihar, was treated to some fast-paced, aggressive and entertaining hockey.

Sangita Kumari opened the scoring with a well-directed deflection just after half-time. Salime Tete added to India's tally following a period of sustained pressure from Harendra Singh's chargers. Deepika, who was closely marked throughout the contest, scored India's third goal off a penalty corner at the death.

India earned their first penalty corner in the opening minute of play. Deepika's drag-flick was stopped by goalkeeper Wu Surong before the home side earned a re-award, which was wasted on account of a sloppy penalty corner stop.

Deepika, who was stifled by the Chinese defence, penetrated the striking circle thanks to a speedy run from Sharmila Devi in the fifth minute but failed to take a shot on goal.

The Chinese manufactured a penalty corner in the 13th minute but failed to strike the ball cleanly much like their opponents. Xu Wanan had a golden chance to open the scoring in the 24th minute with only Bichu Devi to beat but struck the side netting with her powerful reverse.

Lalremsiami was unable to pack enough power in her shot after receiving a peach of an assist from Deepika in the 32nd minute. A minute later, Sangita Kumari directed a brilliant deflection past Wu Surong in goal after picking up a probing cross from Sushila Chanu.

Salima Tete doubled India's lead in the 37th minute after the hosts strung up a wave of attacks on the Chinese citadel following the opening goal.

Deepika scored her eighth goal of the Asian Champions Trophy, with a stinging drag-flick in the final minute of play after the Chinese had taken off their goalkeeper.

India will take on Japan in their last round-robin pool match on Sunday.

How does the Asian Champions Trophy points table look a day before the final round of pool matches?

Japan came from behind to beat Malaysia in Rajgit - Source: Hockey India

For the first time in the Asian Champions Trophy, India leads the points table with 12 points from four games while China are second, having amassed nine points from as many matches.

The Japanese girls, who were trailing Malaysia 0-1 until the third quarter, bounced back to register a 2-1 win earlier on Saturday. As a result of the victory, which was their first of the competition, Japan now has five points from four games. Malaysia, meanwhile has three points from four matches.

The South Koreans also clinched their first win of the Asian Champions Trophy competition, blanking Thailand 4-0 to keep their hopes alive for a place in the semifinals with 4 points. Thailand is out of the reckoning for a place in the knockout round.