New Delhi, November 21, 2024.
From the build-up to the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir and right through the tournament as well, all the focus around India had been on goal-scoring. Do they have what it takes to convert chances from open play? Can they finally solve their Penalty Corner troubles? But on the night they won their second straight title by beating China 1-0, let’s begin by focussing on the defence.
With 12 minutes to go in the first half, and the score still 0-0, China won a Penalty Corner from which Tan Jinzhuang managed to find some space to take a shot on goal. After diving in anticipation of the first shot, India’s goalkeeper Bichu Devi quickly got up and readied herself for Tan’s shot – this is something ’keepers train hard for. The shot on goal was seemingly well-struck and headed towards the back of the net when Bichu dived to her right like a football ‘keeper and managed to get her stick to it in the nick of time.
