India 4-0 Victory Over Japan Secures Championship Led by Captain Savita Punia
India completed their mission in Ranchi with seven victories in seven matches, led by scores Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′), and Vandana Katariya (60′).
During the initial stages of the Asian Champions Trophy in Ranchi, Savita Punia was not involved in anything. It would not be an overstatement to suggest that she had to put in more effort than in the first two matches against Malaysia and Thailand during the pre-tournament press conference, where she was barraged with inquiries. India overcame Japan on Sunday night to capture the ACT title for the first time since 2016. The Indian captain delivered a fantastic effort on the eve of the final.
India completed their mission in the Ranchi with seven victories in seven games, led by scores Sangita Kumari (17′), Neha (46′), Lalremsiami (57′), and Vandana Katariya (60′).
If you’re asking how a goalie gets the credit in a game where the score is 4-0, the conclusion in front of a full house was once again tighter than it implies. Savita made several saves that evening to maintain her team’s lead, starting in the second quarter when she made a great stop from a string of Japan penalty corners. Then, in the last quarter, there was a huge moment when Japan won a penalty stroke. A goal there would have tied the score with enough time remaining in the game to put Japan ahead. However, the Indian captain was able to stop the ball from entering by quickly putting out her left foot.
India then scored two late goals to add gloss to the result after hitting Japan on the counter.
According to Indian Olympian Jude Menezes, who has been away from the sport for a while, Savita kept them in the competition from the start. Had there been a goal back then, the game would have been altered. She also essentially turned the game with the stroke save, according to Menezes.
Rough yards
Only the Indian goalkeepers trained on the first day off of the competition. But Savita was used to that. They have always worked hard, especially since the head coach Janneke Schopman arrived, as she had stated at the time. The majority of the practice was spent honing reflexes, practicing back-to-back saves, and preparing for penalty strokes. The former Dutch great puts them through their paces whenever she has the chance.
And Savita succeeded precisely on those fronts. The 33-year-old pointed to the dugout with her stick up, punching the air silently, not showing her heart on her sleeve. As though to let her coach know that, on the night it counted, those extra hours paid off.
“I’m sure she’s always prepared,” Schopman remarked following the game. She was there for us today when we needed her. She is an excellent goalie, so it’s terrific for her. She stopped every ball that was aimed at goal, which was encouraging to watch.
Japan and India had already met twice in the past month. First, in the Asian Games bronze medal match, where India triumphed despite suffering a devastating loss to the China in the quarterfinal. Japan then prevailed 2-1 in a tough match during the group stage in Ranchi. Additionally, it appeared that this was also going to be a close one for the most part.
Together, Neha and Navneet Kaur—who have collaborated extensively throughout their careers since their days in Haryana—released Sangita Kumari down the right. The tournament’s top goal scorer from India, with six goals, made no mistakes. Before an even, finish-to-finish, occasionally gritty third quarter, Japan mounted a comeback in the second quarter.
Then the thrilling last quarter began. India took an early lead as Deepika’s incredible backflick found Deep Grace Ekka. Neha applied the finishing touch after Deep, the game’s MVP, had put the shot on goal. Lalremsiami scored from another PC rebound after Savita stopped the stroke. India chose the correct night to pick up the game after having trouble with the short corners for the majority of the competition.
The girls occasionally only require a gentle nudge in the right direction. I simply informed them that it wasn’t good enough without even displaying the PCs from the semifinal. Everybody was committing errors. “You don’t have to score all the time; just execute,” I told them. One of the players chose a variation on their own today. That’s where the competition is growing, said Schopman.
Ultimately, given the choice to choose one, India might have preferred to win the championship more in Hangzhou (with Olympic qualification on the line) following back-to-back competitions in less than a time of one month. However, Savita Punia’s side demonstrated why Schopman has been stating, “I know we are a good team,” during the entire week.
