In a gripping contest on Monday, China edged out Pakistan 2-0 in a shootout after the game ended 1-1 in regular time.
This historic upset marks the first time China have reached the final of the tournament, leaving Pakistani fans in disbelief.
The absence of an India vs Pakistan final has left fans ruing what could have been a blockbuster match, with many fans expressing their disappointment over missing out on the chance to see the arch-rivals clash in the final.
One fan posted on X, “No India vs Pakistan final in Asian Hockey Champions Trophy as Pakistan lost to China in the semifinal. Who’s responsible for this?” .
The post garnered a lot of engagement, with other fans discussing the decline of Pakistan hockey and criticizing the team’s performance. Under this post, one fan has an elaborate say on the decline of Pakistan hockey.
China’s victory was driven by an outstanding defensive effort, with goalkeeper Caiyu Wang delivering a stellar performance in the shootout.
Yuanlin Lu gave China an early lead in the 18th minute, putting Pakistan on the backfoot. Though Pakistan equalized in the 37th minute through Ahmed Nadeem, they were unable to capitalize on several penalty corner opportunities, thanks to China’s strong defense and tactical discipline.
On the other side of the tournament, India cruised into the final with a dominant 4-1 victory over South Korea. Led by skipper Harmanpreet Singh, who scored twice, India extended their unbeaten run in the competition.
Now, the stage is set for a unique final showdown between India and China on Tuesday, while Pakistan will play South Korea for the bronze medal.
