Women’s Asian Champions Trophy final | India dethrones Japan with a commanding display, regains the title it won in 2016

India wins 2nd Asian Champions Trophy title, defeating Japan 4-0 in final. China edges past Korea 2-1 in battle for bronze. Chief Minister Hemant Soren present as India lifts trophy to rapturous applause.

For a stadium with an official capacity of 8000, the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Munda hockey stadium here had at least double that number inside on Sunday and much more outside, crowded in front of half a dozen giant screens.

All of them had reason to celebrate by the time the Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy ended, India lifting its second title after 2016 with a 4-0 win against Japan in the final.

The lines had started outside as early as 2 p.m. and it was clear even then not everyone would be able to enter.

Just before the scheduled start of the final at 8.30 pm, one of the floodlight towers went kaput, the reason being too little load or a short circuit, depending on who you asked, leading to a delay of almost 50 minutes in the presence of Chief Minister Hemant Soren.

All those inside and outside the stadium barely moved, patiently waiting for the game to start. They were rewarded with an entertaining contest between two teams equally desperate to prove themselves.

India started like always, looking to score early and taking control and the host had its chances, especially in the 15th minute with Vandana Katariya running all the way into the Japanese circle from the left but running out of partners to pass to.

Two minutes later, Monika put Baljeet Kaur through who found Sangita Kumari on the right to get the lead.