Kakamigahara: India ended a 44-year wait for the Asian Games women’s hockey gold medal with a hard-fought 1-0 victory over defending champions China in the final of the Aichi-Nagoya Games on Friday, securing direct qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
Lalremsiami scored the decisive goal in the 10th minute with a powerful reverse-hit finish as India held their nerve under sustained Chinese pressure to reclaim the continental crown for the first time since 1982.
Lalremsiami Gives India Early Lead
India produced a well-crafted attacking move to break the deadlock in the 10th minute. Salima Tete delivered a precise pass into the circle before Sakshi played the ball to Lalremsiami.
Lalremsiami unleashed a fierce reverse-hit that flew into the roof of the net, giving the Chinese goalkeeper no chance.
China gradually took control of possession and began putting pressure on the Indian defence. However, India remained organised, with Navneet Kaur producing a crucial goalline clearance to deny China during a penalty-corner attempt.
Savita Punia’s Save Keeps India Ahead
One of the defining moments came when India goalkeeper Savita Punia made a brilliant one-handed save to deny China from a penalty stroke.
Savita read the attempt perfectly and kept out the effort, preserving India’s narrow advantage.
India went into half-time leading 1-0 despite China’s sustained attempts to find an equaliser. The pressure continued after the break, with China winning multiple penalty corners in the third quarter.
India’s players repeatedly put their bodies on the line to block China’s attempts, with Salima and her teammates helping protect the lead.
India Hold Nerve to Seal Gold and LA 2028 Berth
China intensified its attack in the closing stages and even withdrew its goalkeeper to bring on an additional outfield player in search of an equaliser.
India remained composed, managed possession effectively and prevented China from creating a clear opportunity to take the match into a shootout.
The victory ended India’s 44-year wait for the women’s Asian Games hockey gold. India’s only previous gold in the event had come in 1982 in New Delhi, when women’s hockey made its Asian Games debut.
India later reached the final in 1998 and 2018, winning silver medals on both occasions.
The Indian team had an impressive campaign in the Aichi-Nagoya Games, topping Pool A with four wins from four matches before defeating Japan 7-2 in the semi-final. India had also beaten Pakistan 7-1 in the pool stage.
The gold medal additionally secured India’s direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, giving the team an important reward alongside its return to the top of Asian women’s hockey.