Modi hails India women’s hockey after 1-0 Asian Games final win over China

Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated India’s women’s hockey team after they ended a 44-year wait for Asian Games gold with a 1-0 victory over defending champions China in the final in Aichi-Nagoya on Friday. He described the triumph as “a very special moment for Indian Hockey” and said the success had brought joy across the country.

The victory was only the second time India have taken women’s hockey gold at the Asian Games, their first coming in 1982 when the event debuted. India had finished runners-up in 1998 and 2018, losing those finals to South Korea and Japan respectively. The final in Aichi-Nagoya saw India face the side that had won the previous edition of the Games.

India’s winning move arrived early when Lalremsiami opened the scoring in the 10th minute with a tomahawk strike that gave her side the lead. The team began the match on the front foot and relied on a structured defensive display to protect that advantage.

China mounted sustained pressure after falling behind, probing for an equaliser through the middle and down the flanks. India’s defence repeatedly maintained its shape under that pressure, preventing clear high-percentage chances.

Veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia produced a decisive intervention when she saved a Chinese penalty stroke, preserving India’s slender lead. That moment was singled out as one of the defining episodes of the final and helped shift momentum back to the Indian side.

The match’s closing stages tested both teams’ composure, with India standing firm to see out the contest and secure the landmark gold medal. Prime Minister Modi praised the players’ qualities, saying the team’s success was the result of “outstanding skills and teamwork” and described their determination as inspiring.

Modi also extended his wishes to the players for their future endeavours and expressed hope that the achievement would contribute to hockey becoming more popular across the country. China settled for the silver medal, while Japan claimed bronze after defeating South Korea in the third-place play-off.

The latest gold also secured India a direct qualification spot for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, adding further significance to the triumph.