The Indian women’s hockey team endured a tough evening in Hangzhou, going down 1-4 against hosts China in their second Super4s Pool match of the Women’s Asia Cup 2025 on Thursday.
While Mumtaz Khan (38’) provided a moment of brilliance for India with a powerful strike, goals from Zou Meirong (4’, 56’), Chen Yang (31’) and Tan Jinzhuang (47’) ensured a commanding victory for China, who secured their place in the final with the result.
The match began at a high tempo, with both sides making quick forays into each other’s circles. But it was China who found the breakthrough in the 4th minute. India’s defence initially held firm to block an attempt on goal, but the rebound fell kindly to Zou Meirong, who made no mistake with a simple tap-in to give the hosts an early 1-0 advantage.
India responded by upping the intensity, creating multiple chances and winning their first penalty corner in the 10th minute. However, the Chinese rushers were quick off the line and defused the danger. Despite sustained attacking efforts, India’s forward line struggled with composure in the final third, often guilty of rushing opportunities.
Missed opportunities before the break
The second quarter was marked by end-to-end play. India held greater possession during phases and pressed high up the pitch, forcing errors from the Chinese backline. In the 27th minute, another penalty corner opportunity came India’s way. This time, the injection and trap were accurate, but the drag-flick lacked precision and was comfortably dealt with.
The final minutes of the half saw India pile on the pressure, but despite dominating possession, they could not find the crucial equaliser. At halftime, China maintained their narrow 1-0 lead, leaving India with much work to do in the final two quarters.
The start of the third quarter could not have gone worse for India. Barely a minute into play, a defensive lapse inside their own circle gifted possession to Chen Yang. With acres of space and time, she slotted the ball past goalkeeper Bichu Devi to double China’s advantage.
India, however, found their way back into the contest soon after. In the 38th minute, a slick move down the left flank saw Lalremsiami release a well-timed pass to Mumtaz Khan at the edge of the circle. Mumtaz unleashed a stunning backhand strike from distance that thundered into the net, reducing the deficit to 1-2.
The goal reinvigorated India, who began to play with renewed confidence. Moments later, Zou Meirong almost restored China’s two-goal cushion with a close-range attempt, but Bichu Devi produced a sharp save to deny her. For a brief period, India looked capable of staging a comeback.
China pull away in the final stretch
China, however, reasserted control in the final quarter. In the 47th minute, they earned their first penalty corner of the match. Tan Jinzhuang’s shot took a deflection off an Indian defender’s stick and beat Bichu Devi, stretching the lead to 3-1.
India’s attempts to push forward left them vulnerable at the back, and China exploited the gaps efficiently. In the 56th minute, Zou Meirong scored her second of the match with a crisp finish from open play, sealing the 4-1 win for the hosts and sending the home crowd into celebration.
The defeat left India needing to regroup quickly ahead of their final Super4s Pool match against Japan on September 12. With only the top two teams progressing to the final, India must win that clash to stand a chance of setting up a rematch against China for the continental crown.
Coach Janneke Schopman and her staff will be particularly concerned about the defensive errors that proved costly against China. Despite creating chances and enjoying spells of dominance, lapses at crucial moments allowed the hosts to pull away.
India’s penalty corner conversion also remains a pressing issue. While they earned multiple set-piece opportunities, none were capitalised on. Against top-level opposition, such inefficiency often proves decisive, as it did on Thursday.
Still, the performance wasn’t without positives. Mumtaz Khan’s goal underlined her growing importance as a reliable finisher, while Lalremsiami’s industry and vision in attack created several opportunities. Goalkeeper Bichu Devi, despite conceding four, produced some sharp saves that kept India in the contest for long periods.
For China, the victory not only secured their progression to the final but also reaffirmed their status as one of Asia’s strongest hockey sides. Clinical finishing, disciplined defending, and effective use of counter-attacks marked their performance.
Zou Meirong’s brace was central to their dominance, while Chen Yang and Tan Jinzhuang provided the additional firepower to put the contest beyond India’s reach.
India’s campaign now hangs in the balance. Their clash against Japan is effectively a semi-final for a spot in the title match. Victory would hand them another shot at China in the final, while defeat would consign them to a third-place playoff.
With the Women’s Asia Cup also serving as a key preparatory event in the lead-up to the FIH Pro League and Olympic qualification cycle, India will be determined to show resilience. A win against Japan would not only revive their campaign but also reinforce belief that they can challenge China once more for the coveted continental trophy.
Final Score: India 1–4 China
Scorers: Mumtaz Khan (38’) for India; Zou Meirong (4’, 56’), Chen Yang (31’), Tan Jinzhuang (47’) for China
