Asia Cup Hockey: India eves lose to China in final

BANGKOK - Indian women’s hockey team put up a brave fight before losing 3-5 to China in a pulsating Asia Cup final here Sunday.

Skipper Surinder Kaur gave India the lead as early as in the eighth minute while Mamta Kharab (47th) and Deepika Thakur (54th) struck after the breather. Chinese struck thrice in the first half (13th, 18th and 27th) and twice (47th, 51st) in the second to lift their second Asia Cup title after 20 years.

Surinder’s goal in the eight minute was short-lived as veteran Fu Bao Rang stuck from a free hit to equalise in the 13th minute. Five minutes later, Ma Yi Bo converted the first penalty corner to make it 2-1 for China.

Right winger Zhao Yu Dia sounded the board from a through pass from the left in the 27th minute as China went into the break with a 3-1 lead.

Five minutes into the second half, disaster struck India after medio Asunta Lakra was yellow carded and that allowed China to score twice. Ma Yi Bo completed his brace converting a penalty corner and De Jiao Jiao struck from a counter attack in the second half to complete the tally for China.

In the last five minutes, India came close to stretch the match into the extra time but Jasjeet and Saba failed to convert the two penalty corners that came their way.