Asian Champions Trophy: India start title defence with 3-0 win against China

Olympic bronze medallists and defending champions India started their Asian Champions Trophy 2024 campaign with a comfortable 3-0 win over hosts China on September 8, Sunday.

Sukhjeet, Uttam and Abhishek Singh scored the goals for the Indian team as they were to weather a counterattacking storm from the Chinese side. While India weren’t able to convert their dragflicks on the day, coach Craig Fulton would have been happy seeing the team score 3 field goals on the day.

India had a big scare in the first few minutes as the hosts counterattacked after a turnover in the middle and got a shot away. However, it lacked power and went well wide. India would get their first attack into the Chinese D just after 5 minutes as Abhishek was able to put in a pass to Raheel and his shot was stopped.

Harmanpreet had the first taste of a PC in the 8th minute, but his shot was saved and China would launch a quick counterattack that would have India sweating. China were slowly growing into the game but almost against the run of play, India took the lead. Jugraj Singh put in a fine ball into the D, which Sukhjeet diverted into the back of the net.

The second quarter saw India bring in Karkera on to the field. The quarter started with Abhishek pulling off a shot, which needed China’s goalkeeper. India would then finally double their lead with under 4 minutes remaining as Uttam Singh was able to make the most of a poor clearance inside the D and unleashed a shot past the goalkeeper.

Abhishek would make things 3-0 for India right after the start of Q3 to put the contest away from the hosts. China did get a PC during the quarter, but they would put it well wide in the end. The 4th quarter would see India once again start on the front foot, with Abhishek almost bagging his second of the evening. The interesting aspect was seeing how India were aiming for more field goals with Manpreet almost setting up Uttam for another one, but the shot just went wide.

Jugraj would almost make it as his drag-flick would go just wide of the mark, with close to 6 minutes remaining in the game. India would get a couple more PCs in the final few minutes of the match, but it seemed like it was not their day from dragflicks.

China did finish strongly with a few penalty corners and big chances of their own but the Indian defence and Karkera were up to the task to thwart any danger and secure the win in the end. India will now take on Japan on Monday, September 9 in their next fixture.