New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday congratulated the Indian Men’s Hockey Team for winning the Asian Hockey Champions Trophy 2024 and said their remarkable performance made the nation proud.
A determined India claimed their fifth Hero Asian Champions Trophy title with a fighting 1-0 victory over hosts China on Tuesday, completing a display of absolute dominance in the tournament in which they won all their matches.
Defender Jugraj Singh scored a rare field goal as the defending champions toiled hard before getting the better of their opponents.
Modi praised their performance and commitment, saying that the team has made the country proud.
“Congratulations to the incredible Indian Men’s Hockey Team for winning the Asian Men’s Hockey Champions Trophy 2024,” wrote Modi on his official X account.
“Their remarkable performance, unwavering spirit and dedication have made the nation proud.”
Fighting against a rousing home crowd roaring for their countrymen, India started off patiently, playing with the pace of the game, and not forcing the chances to come.
Both teams shared the possession and took their (un)timely chances to draw first blood, but neither could find the breakthrough through the first three quarters of the match.
With all to play for, India would come out of the gate guns blazing in the fourth quarter, poking and probing at China’s defense relentlessly.
Finally, in the 50th minute, it would finally be Jugraj Singh who would convert off a pass from skipper Harmanpreet Singh, to finally break the deadlock and give India the slender 1-0 lead.
A frantic China would go into overdrive, and in a moment of desperation would take their goalkeeper out to force the issue in an all-out attack.
But, all their bravery would yield nothing, as China would fail to find the equalizer as time ran out, handing India their fifth Asian Champions Trophy.
