Lalremsiami’s wonder strike gave Indian women’s hockey a 1-0 victory over China, gold after 44 years at the Asian Games; Quota for the Olympics closed

India’s Neha competes for the ball with China’s Fan Yunxia during the women’s gold medal match at the Asian Games in Gifu, Japan, Friday, Oct. 2, 2026. (AP) They came close in 1998, then again in 2018, but finished as runners-up both times after losing to South Korea and Japan. But the Indian women’s hockey team finally did it on Friday, beating China 1-0 in the final of the 2026 Asian Games to clinch the gold medal in a hard-fought match in Nagoya.It was the women’s hockey team’s first medal at a continental event since winning a single gold in 1982. India ended a 44-year wait with victory over defending champions China and also secured direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.China started quickly, entering the Indian circle several times in the opening five minutes. India’s defense came under pressure but did not fail.India then started to push higher and Lalremsiami broke through in the 10th minute. A powerful backhand shot found the roof of the net to give India a 1-0 lead.China came through as they surrendered but India’s defense continued to attack and eliminate the danger. China had most of the possession until the end of the first quarter, but India went into the break with the lead thanks to Lalremsiami.China were awarded a penalty in the second quarter, but goalkeeper Savita Punia kept India in the lead with a stunning one-handed save as she dived to her left. Punia perfectly read Zhang Ying’s direction and made a save to her left.A few minutes later, in the 28th minute, Navneet won the ball in midfield and dribbled around her marker before attempting a pass to the striker in front of her. However, the Chinese defender blocked the ball to prevent India from creating another chance.India went into half-time leading 1-0.With China regularly entering the circle and throwing everything at them in the third and fourth quarters, India absorbed wave after wave of pressure, putting their bodies on the line to protect their slender advantage and complete a memorable triumph.India beat China 1-0 to end their 44-year wait for an Asian Games gold and seal direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.