The five-time Asian Champions Trophy champions India emerged victorious once again as they put up a brilliant display to beat a spirited Chinese side 1-0 in the 5th Asian Champions trophy final on the 17th of September, a Tuesday. Man of the Match, Jugraj Singh, put India in the lead in the 51st minute, helping to determine the match’s victory as China made the defending champions struggle for the win in the last part of the match. India and China had played the tournament opener, and it was the team India that had come out triumphant in the match by 3-0. Harmanpreet Singh and company were favorites to win the match, but the hosts did not bow down easily.

The match had begun with China attempting to force some action over the Indian defense. This was seen in the first confrontation of the two teams in the tournament, with China keen to capitalize on the break and punish India. The first real opportunity came early in the first quarter when India got a shot at the goal with Sukhjeet getting in a cheeky shot, which was nicely saved by the Chinese goalkeeper.

The first PC for India entered in the 9th minute, and that too was saved by the Chinese defense team. India would get another one, and this time, Harmanpreet was way off the block to have a chance at it. China would come out of the two and pin Krishan Pathak into a couple of penalty corners.

The second quarter continued closing guard for most part as China had parked the bus so that India could not get past them.

5th Asian Champions
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India would get a big chance in the 27th minute when Harmanpreet was able to capitalize on a mistrapped PC, but it went off the post. Shortly after this, India was awarded a penalty stroke, which initially had been given to Wang as he had knocked off Manpreet Singh. But then China checked it and got the verdict in their favor as it was tied 0-0 at halftime.

The third quarter of the match would find India producing quite many attractive raids into the D, but the Chinese defense was tight. China would get a couple of PCs, but the Indian defense was able to contain them. We got a couple of PCs, but the Indian defense line held them. Pathak arrived at the save in the 41st minute; he would maintain a splendid PC attempt. India tried to increase the pressure in the last couple of minutes as Hundal entered the D, but his effort went unfruitful as he missed the goal. India took the pressure, but China did not bend as both teams were level going into the last quarter of the match.

India would have started the quarter strongly, putting all the pressure on, and only broke the deadlock in the 51st minute. Harmanpreet’s great raid into the D later set up Jugraj, who certainly scored the equalizer. It was now time for China to leave all caution aside and attempt to turn the heat on India. They even brought on a flying goalkeeper to the field as they continued to look for the equalizing goal. But still, overall, the Indian defence was quite well built in the end, as India had emerged as a winner.

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