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Defending champions India continued their unbeaten run in the women's Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament, defeating Japan 2-0 to enter the final in Rajgir on Tuesday. Vice-captain Navneet Kaur converted a penalty stroke in the 48th minute, while Lalaremsiami struck from field play in the 56th minute for India, who had plenty of scoring chances, including 13 penalty corners.India will face China, whom they defeated in the league stages, in the final on Wednesday. Earlier, China beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal. Malaysia will take on Japan in the third-fourth place match, while Korea finished fifth after beating Thailand 3-0 in the fifth-sixth place classification match.The Indians continued their attacking game and put on early pressure on the Japanese defense, just like the last league game. The play was mostly inside the Japanese half as the Indian defense was hardly tested. India had the first shot at the goal inside the initial five minutes, but skipper Salima Tete's attempt was thwarted by Japanese goalkeeper Yu Kudo.The Indians repeatedly penetrated the Japanese citadel and in the process secured two penalty corners in a span of two minutes, but Kudo was alert under the bar to deny Navneet Kaur and Deepika. Three minutes into the second quarter, India secured three back-to-back penalty corners but failed to find the back of the net.It was raining penalty corners for the hosts as they got back-to-back set pieces in the 21st minute, but Kudo produced a brilliant save with her fully-stretched right leg to deny Deepika again. In the 24th minute, India earned a penalty corner followed by another in the next minute but failed to get past Japanese goalkeeper Kudo, as they also lacked in execution.A minute after the change of ends, India secured two penalty corners but wasted both. In the 35th minute, Kodu again denied Deepika from a set piece. In the 41st minute, Deepika stole the ball just outside the Japanese circle but shot wide from a one-on-one situation with Kudo.Seconds from the end of the third quarter, Kudo once again pulled off a brilliant save to deny Udita from another penalty corner. In the 47th minute, India secured their 12th penalty corner but failed to breach Kudo. But a minute later, India broke the deadlock through a penalty stroke earned by Deepika, and Navneet made no mistake.The goal seemed to have rejuvenated the Indians as they scored a fine field goal in the 56th minute. Lalremsiami slammed into the back of the Japanese goal after she was brilliantly set up by Sunelita Toppo's terrific run from the right flank. Japan got a penalty corner in the dying moments but failed to get past a rock-solid Indian defense.

The Indian women's hockey team embarks on a new Olympic cycle with the defense of its Asian Champions Trophy (ACT) title at home. Having endured a challenging year with limited victories, the team aims to turn the tide and showcase their resilience.Led by captain Salima Tete, India boasts a blend of youth and experience. Striker Navneet Kaur serves as Tete's deputy, bringing a wealth of attacking prowess. The team faces stiff competition from reigning Olympic silver medalists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand.India's defense will be anchored by a solid lineup featuring Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke. The midfield will be marshaled by Tete, Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami.The forward line-up boasts the likes of Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Preeti Dubey, and Beauty Dungdung. Goalkeeping duties will be shared between the experienced Savita and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam.Sushila and Beauty Dungdung make their return to the team after successful rehabilitation. India enters the tournament as one of the favorites alongside China, ranked sixth in the world. South Korea has won the tournament thrice, while Japan has claimed it twice.After missing out on Olympic qualification, India's new coach Harendra Singh aims to instill a renewed sense of purpose and focus on fitness. Captain Tete acknowledges the team's past struggles and emphasizes the importance of moving forward.The tournament marks the beginning of a new journey for the Indian women's hockey team, with their sights set on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Salima Tete has been appointed as the captain of the 18-member Indian women's hockey team for the upcoming Asian Champions Trophy, scheduled to be held from November 11 to 20 at the newly-developed Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Bihar. Navneet Kaur will serve as Tete's deputy.India enters the competition as the defending champions, having clinched the title at last year's edition in Ranchi. The team will face stiff competition from five other nations, including reigning Olympic silver-medallists China, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, and Thailand, in the battle for continental supremacy.Tete, a dynamic mid-fielder, expressed her excitement and determination to lead the team to another successful campaign. "It's an incredible feeling to lead the team into another major tournament, especially as defending champions," she said. "We have trained rigorously and have a strong unit with both experienced players and young talent. Our goal is to defend our title and play with the same passion and determination we showed last year."The goalkeeping duties will be shared between the experienced Savita and rising talent Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defence will be anchored by a solid line-up, featuring Udita, Jyoti, Ishika Chaudhary, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, and Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke.In the mid-field, captain Tete will be supported by Neha, Sharmila Devi, Manisha Chauhan, Sunelita Toppo, and Lalremsiami, all known for their dynamic play. The forward line-up boasts firepower with Navneet Kaur, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Preeti Dubey, and Beauty Dungdung leading the charge.Notably, Sushila and Beauty Dungdung make their return to the team after successfully completing their rehabilitation. "We are confident in our preparation and the chemistry we've built within the team," said vice-captain Navneet. "Playing in front of our home crowd is a huge boost, and we are ready to face tough competition from the best teams in Asia."India will open their campaign against Malaysia on November 11. The team is determined to defend their title and continue their dominance in Asian hockey.

The Indian women's hockey team has undergone a leadership change, with Salima Tete taking over as captain from Savita Punia. The decision was made with an eye towards the future, including the 2026 World Cup and Asian Games, and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.Tete, 22, has been a regular member of the squad since 2019 and has helped India win several medals, including bronze at the 2022 Asia Cup, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Games. She was also named Player of the Year 2023 by Hockey India."I am happy that I have been appointed to lead the team," said Tete. "It is a big responsibility and I am looking forward to this new role. We have a strong squad and it's a mix of experienced and young players."Tete will be supported by Navneet Kaur, who has replaced Deep Grace Ekka as vice-captain. The 28-year-old Kaur will share duties as an attacking midfielder."In the upcoming Belgium and England legs of the Pro League, we look to put our strong foot forward," said Kaur. "We have been training rigorously in the camp. We have worked on areas where we needed to improve. I am sure that we will put up good performances and get the results we desire."Savita, 33, will continue to play as a goalkeeper, along with Bichu Devi Kharibam. The defensive line-up includes Nikki Pradhan, Udita, Ishika Chaudhary, Monika, Jyoti Chhatri, and Mahima Chaudhary.The midfield will be marshalled by Tete, Kaur, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Neha, Jyoti, Baljeet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan, and Lalremsiami. The forward line will have Mumtaz Khan, Sangita Kumari, Deepika, Sharmila Devi, Preeti Dubey, Vandana Katariya, Sunelita Toppo, and Deepika Soreng.India has had a mixed performance in the Pro League so far, with two outright wins, one shootout victory, and five losses. They will play four matches against Argentina and hosts Belgium in Antwerp from May 22 to 26 before travelling to London where they will face Germany and hosts Great Britain in another four games from June 1 to 9.