India came into the game against China on Monday with a point to prove and answer a few questions on form and abilities and by the end of the game, the players had done both, registering a 2-1 win to go top of the table at the Jharkhand Asian Champions Trophy here.
The Asian Games disappointment was India’s first loss to China since the league match in the 2016 edition of the ACT. Fittingly, India used the same stage, seven years later, to reset itself. The intent was clear from the beginning as India went on the attack and kept its foot on the pedal. For the first 15 minutes, the host took charge of the midfield, creating gaps and pushing high even as China kept switching flanks to try and break forward without success.
The breakthrough came in the final seconds of the first quarter as a goalmouth melee resulted in a penalty stroke duly converted by Deepika. A powerful reverse shot from an unmarked Salima Tete from the top of the circle in the 26th made it 2-0.
