Bangkok: The valiant Indian women hockey team had to be satisfied with the silver medal after they went down 3-5 to formidable China in an action-packed final of the seventh Asia Cup.
Surinder Kaur and her teammates, who have already booked their berth for the 2010 World Cup in Argentina with this final appearance, tried every trick in the book but just could not get the better of their Chinese opponents.
Surinder earned the lead for India in the eighth minute, while Mamta Kharab (47th) and Deepika Thakur (54th) sounded the board in the second half but the Chinese scored thrice in the first session (13th, 18th and 27th) and twice (47th, 51st) in the second to emerge victorious.
This was China's second Asia Cup triumph, coming exactly 20 years after their 1989 victory in Hong Kong.
India took the initiative early in the match with Surinder's eighth minute goal but the joy lasted only five minutes as the Chinese changed to top gear, putting the Indian on the defensive mode.
Veteran Fu Bao Rang trapped a free hit to equalise in the 13th minute and soon Ma Yi Bo's straight drive off the team's first penalty corner made it 2-1 for China.
Bureau Report
First Published: Sunday, November 08, 2009, 20:32