Odisha CM Congratulates Indian Hockey Team For Winning Asian Champions Trophy 2024

Bhubaneswar: Odisha Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Hockey team for clinching the Asian Champions Trophy 2024.

In a message on X, the Odisha CM said:

Congratulations to the Indian men’s #Hockey team for winning the #AsianChampionsTrophy2024 for the 5th time. The #MenInBlue made us proud with their outstanding sporting skills throughout the tournament and emerged champions. May they continue to shine and uphold the spirit of sportsmanship.

Earlier in the day, Indian men’s hockey team defeated the hosts People’s Republic of China 1-0 in the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 final at the Moqi Hockey Training Base in Hulunbuir on Tuesday.

In a high-intensity clash, which saw China keep India at bay for most of the match, India’s Jugraj Singh (51’) slotted home the only goal of the game in the fourth quarter.

India, who were the defending champions, are the most successful team in the competition with five titles – 2011, 2016, 2018 (shared with Pakistan), 2023 and 2024.

India were playing in their sixth Asian Champions Trophy hockey final from the eight editions held so far. China made their maiden appearance in the final.

The Indian hockey team, fifth in the FIH rankings, were dominant in the first quarter against world No. 23 China. Harmanpreet Singh threatened to score from penalty corners but failed to convert. Manpreet Singh and Nilakanta Sharma, then, were denied from close range by China’s goalkeeper Wang Weihao in the final minutes of the first quarter.

The Craig Fulton-coached India remained in control in the second quarter but failed to take the lead. Harmanpreet shot wide from a penalty corner while his next attempt, after an unsuccessful trap on a penalty corner, hit the post as both India and China remained goalless at half time.

In the third quarter, China’s work-rate and endeavour saw them win three penalty corners but the Indian defence, led by star defender from Odisha, Amit Rohidas, was strong on each occasion.

With only nine minutes to go, Jugraj Singh scored his second goal of the tournament from close range to help break the deadlock. Skipper Harmanpreet set up the chance with an enterprising run through the left of China’s D.

Later, the hosts rallied in attack in the closing stages of the final but were unable to penetrate the Indian defence.

Harmanpreet, notably, finished as India’s leading goal-scorer and second in the overall tally at the Asian Champions Trophy 2024 with seven goals – two field goals and five penalty corners. He was named the Player of the Tournament.