Following their triumph in the bronze medal match, the Pakistani players in attendance were seen waving Chinese flags, donning Chinese badges, and even painting Chinese flags on their cheeks.
However, the final saw India secure their fifth Asian Champions Trophy title with a narrow 1-0 victory over hosts China.
The match was a tense affair, with India struggling to break through the resolute Chinese defence until Jugraj Singh scored a decisive field goal in the 51st minute.
This win capped off a flawless tournament for India, where they emerged victorious in all their matches. Despite dominating possession and creating numerous chances, the Indian team had a tough time penetrating the Chinese defence in the first three quarters.
China, making only their second appearance in an international tournament final, put up a strong fight. Their previous final was at the 2006 Asian Games, where they finished second after a loss to Korea.
The Chinese team showed remarkable defensive resilience and counter-attacking acumen but was ultimately undone by Jugraj’s crucial goal.
Earlier in the tournament, Pakistan claimed the bronze medal with a convincing 5-2 victory over Korea. Sufyan Khan and Hannan Shahid were standout performers, scoring multiple goals to secure third place.
Pakistan’s recovery from a semifinal loss to China was commendable, as they bounced back with a dynamic second-half performance.
As India celebrated their triumph, the surprising support from Pakistani players for China added a unique perspective to the cross-border camaraderie.
