Photo via The Times of India

Asian Games hockey final: India chase historic gold & LA Olympics spot vs China

The Indian women's national team is set to battle defending champions China for the Asian Games crown in Aichi-Nagoya, aiming to secure their first gold medal in the event since 1982. Alongside continental supremacy, the victorious squad will automatically punch a ticket to the upcoming Los Angeles Olympic Games.

Both finalists navigated their pool matches without a loss, though India needed late strikes from Ishika Chaudhary and Salima Tete to bypass South Korea in the semifinal round, while China edged past Japan through a penalty shootout. Mentored by coach Sjoerd Marijne, the Indian lineup leans heavily on the tournament-topping scoring output of Deepika alongside Navneet Kaur, while maintaining a robust defensive wall anchored by goalkeepers Savita and Bichu Devi.

Up nextAthletics· 2h ago

Neeraj Chauhan clinches recurve bronze in all-India clash at Asian Games