India bags bronze in Women's Asia Cup Hockey

Muscat, January 28: The Indian Women's Hockey team signed off the Women's Asia Cup 2022 with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over China in the third/ fourth placing match here in Muscat today. It was goals by Sharmila Devi (13') and Gurjit Kaur (19') that helped the Savita-led side end the continental tournament with the third-place finish. It was a neck-and-neck start to the match, with both teams trying to make inroads in each other's striking circle, showcasing good attacking and defending skills. Both India and China created potential goal scoring opportunities and even earned themselves Penalty Corners, but both teams missed out on converting it. However, in the 14th minute, India's effort paid off as young forward Sharmila found herself in the right spot to push the ball in the goal during Gurjit's powerful drag flick, which got stopped by the defence line while taking the Penalty Corner, thus leading 1-0 at the end of the first quarter. Charged-up Indian eves started the second quarter on an attacking note, and four minutes later they earned a Penalty Corner, which was duly converted by Gurjit.