Wasteful India lose 1-4 to China in Women's Asia Cup Hockey; suffer first defeat in tournament

TOI Sports Desk / TIMESOFINDIA.COM / Sep 12, 2025, 09:05 IST

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India's women's hockey team faced a setback in the Asia Cup, losing 4-1 to China in a Super 4s match. Inefficient finishing and missed penalty corners hampered India's chances, with Mumtaz Khan scoring their only goal. China's Meirong scored twice, securing their spot in the final.

Wasteful India lose 1-4 to China in Women's Asia Cup Hockey; suffer first defeat in tournament

India suffered their first loss of the Women's Asia Cup hockey, going down 1-4 to China in the Super 4s. (Image: Hockey India)

The Indian women's hockey team suffered their first defeat in the Asia Cup, losing 1-4 to hosts China in a Super 4s match at Hangzhou on Thursday. India's inefficient finishing and failure to convert three penalty corners proved costly, with Mumtaz Khan scoring India's lone goal while China's Zou Meirong netted twice alongside goals from Chen Yang and Tan Jinzhuang.China took an early lead in the fourth minute when Meirong capitalized on a rebound, tapping the ball into an empty net after India's initial save.India earned their first penalty corner in the tenth minute but couldn't breach the Chinese defence.The second quarter saw both teams creating opportunities, with India ramping up pressure in the final five minutes and controlling possession, yet failing to equalise before the break.China extended their lead in the first minute of the third quarter when Yang took advantage of India's defensive error, scoring from an unmarked position inside the circle.India reduced the deficit in the 38th minute through Mumtaz Khan's impressive field goal, converting Lalremsiami's pass with a powerful back-handed shot from the edge of the circle.Bichu Devi displayed excellent reflexes to deny Meirong from close range shortly after India's goal.

China strengthened their position in the final quarter when Jinzhuang converted a penalty corner in the 47th minute, with the ball deflecting off a defender's stick.Meirong completed her brace with a field goal in the 56th minute, securing China's victory and their place in the tournament final.The match featured lively exchanges throughout, with both teams creating opportunities in the first quarter despite China's early advantage.India's inability to convert their penalty corners proved crucial, with all three attempts failing to yield results.The loss puts pressure on India ahead of their crucial Super 4s match against Japan on Friday, where a victory is essential to secure a spot in the final and a potential rematch with China.

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