India defeated China 2-0 to claim the bronze medal at Friday’s Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2022 at Muscat’s Sultan Qaboos Sports Complex.
Sharmila Devi and Gurjit Kaur scored goals in a rematch of the 2017 final to secure India’s women’s hockey team its third bronze medal at the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup and seventh podium finish overall. Additionally, this was India’s fourth podium finish in a row.
In a cagey first quarter, both teams created chances but failed to score.
India earned two penalty corners just before the break, and from the second, Gurjit Kaur’s shot was partially blocked, but Sharmila Devi reacted quickly and diverted it into the net to give India the lead.
India concentrated the majority of their attacks on the right in the second quarter, and it paid off quickly. Sharmila Devi earned a penalty corner, which Gurjit Kaur converted with a powerful drag-flick to make it 2-0 for India.
Soon after, captain Savita Punia was forced to make a save, but India went into half-time leading by two goals.
The third quarter was more evenly contested, with both teams launching attacks, but India maintained its lead.
India began the final quarter of the match strongly and maintained pressure, denying China many opportunities. Despite a late barrage of China’s penalty corners, the Indian defense held firm and secured the bronze medal.
Earlier in the tournament, India finished second in Pool A, qualifying for the semi-finals but losing to South Korea.
