The India women’s hockey team today qualified for next year’s World Cup by winning the Asia Cup hockey title. In a nail-biting final at Kakamigahara in Japan, they overcame China 5-4 via a shootout. At full time, both teams were level One-One.
India took the lead through Navjot Kaur in the 25th minute. But China found a late equaliser through Tiantian Luo, who converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute.
South Korea secured third place with a 1-0 win over Japan earlier in the day.
India had to wait long for their second Women’s Asia Cup title with the last one coming way back in 2004, when they had beaten Japan in New Delhi for the trophy.
The triumph of the Indian women’s team follows the Asia Cup victory of the men’s side last month.
President Kovind, Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi have hailed the victory of the Indian women’s hockey team over China in the Asia Cup today.
In their tweets, they congratulated the Indian women’s team for lifting the Asia Cup. They said that they are now looking forward to glory in the 2018 World Cup.
In Kakamigahara in Japan today, goalkeeper Savita produced a stunning save in a tense shootout helping India win the Asia Cup and secure qualification in next year’s hockey World Cup, following a nerve-wracking win over China in the final.
