Nov 5, 2016 6:00am
By Swetha Sundararajan
In the end, it proved to be a dress rehearsal for the final and, if tonight's clash to decide the winners of the 4th Asian Women's Champions Trophy is anything like the battle China and India put on yesterday at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium, then fans are in for a treat.
In an exciting final pool game, China pipped India 3-2 to take over top spot. They will meet again in the final, with Japan and South Korea squaring off in the play-off for third and fourth.
Both the Chinese and Indian teams featured players from the national development squad. China went 2-0 up through field goals by Yang Chen (35th min) and Qiu Guo (51), but India stormed back to draw level.
In a frantic finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats, the Indians reduced arrears almost immediately when Rani Poonam struck through a penalty corner in the 52nd minute and three minutes later, the scoreline was level after a goal by captain Katariya Vandana.
Three minutes later, China's Ou Zixia struck the winner via a penalty corner. Despite their terrific win last night, China's coach Weng Hai Qin, 42, expressed concerned over his players' fatigue.
- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/sports/all-other-...dians-hope-revenge-final#sthash.UXFpNVbO.dpuf
By Swetha Sundararajan
In the end, it proved to be a dress rehearsal for the final and, if tonight's clash to decide the winners of the 4th Asian Women's Champions Trophy is anything like the battle China and India put on yesterday at the Sengkang Hockey Stadium, then fans are in for a treat.
In an exciting final pool game, China pipped India 3-2 to take over top spot. They will meet again in the final, with Japan and South Korea squaring off in the play-off for third and fourth.
Both the Chinese and Indian teams featured players from the national development squad. China went 2-0 up through field goals by Yang Chen (35th min) and Qiu Guo (51), but India stormed back to draw level.
In a frantic finish that had everyone on the edge of their seats, the Indians reduced arrears almost immediately when Rani Poonam struck through a penalty corner in the 52nd minute and three minutes later, the scoreline was level after a goal by captain Katariya Vandana.
Three minutes later, China's Ou Zixia struck the winner via a penalty corner. Despite their terrific win last night, China's coach Weng Hai Qin, 42, expressed concerned over his players' fatigue.
- See more at: http://www.tnp.sg/sports/all-other-...dians-hope-revenge-final#sthash.UXFpNVbO.dpuf