Hulunbuir: India successfully defended their Asian Champions Trophy title with a narrow 1-0 victory over host nation China in the final held in Hulunbuir on Tuesday. This win reinforces India’s status as a powerhouse in Asian hockey, adding another prestigious title to their illustrious record.
The match, marked by a series of goalless quarters, saw its decisive moment in the 51st minute when Jugraj Singh scored the game’s only goal. Singh’s field goal, set up by team captain Harmanpreet Singh, proved pivotal in a tightly contested final.
This victory marks India’s fifth title in the Asian Champions Trophy, following their wins in 2011, 2016, 2023, and 2024. They also shared the 2018 title with Pakistan. The win in Hulunbuir extends India’s streak of consecutive titles, having previously triumphed in Chennai.
For China, the final was a historic achievement as it was their first appearance in the Asian Champions Trophy final. Their previous best finishes were fourth place in 2012 and 2013. Despite their aggressive efforts to level the score, including the strategic removal of their goalkeeper for an additional outfield player, China was unable to breach India’s defense.
India’s journey to the final was marked by a decisive 3-0 win over China in the group stages and a commanding 4-1 victory against South Korea in the semi-finals. China, on the other hand, advanced to the final after a dramatic penalty shoot-out victory over Pakistan.
The final between India and China was the seventh encounter in the Asian Champions Trophy, with India now leading with six wins to China’s one. China’s only previous victory over India came in the 2006 tournament. Overall, India holds a dominant record against China in hockey, with 18 wins out of 24 encounters, compared to three wins for China and three draws.
