Chinese players celebrate the victory. Photo: Xinhua

 
At the Women's Hockey Asia Cup final on Sunday evening, China rallied from an early deficit to defeat India 4-1, reclaiming the continental title after 16 years and securing direct qualification for the 2026 Women's FIH Hockey World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.
 
The victory sees China join South Korea and Japan as the tournament's most decorated teams with three titles each in the event's 40-year history.
 
China had already beaten India 4-1 in the Super 4 stage, but in the final, the Indian side struck first, stunning China just 59 seconds into the match with a short-corner goal to lead 1-0 at the end of the opening quarter. China responded in the second quarter, as Ou Zixia converted from the top of the circle to level the score. The sides went into halftime tied 1-1.
 
After the break, China capitalized on a missed Indian short-corner attempt, launching a swift counterattack. Li Hong carried the ball into the circle and calmly finished past the keeper to give China a 2-1 lead.

In the final quarter. Zou Meirong extended the lead with a deft strike in front of the goal, before Zhong Jiaqi broke through on the right flank and fired in a reverse shot less than two minutes later to seal the 4-1 victory.
 
This was China's third Asia Cup title overall, and their first since 2009. The triumph also secured their place in the 2026 World Cup.

"I'm very happy to have won the match and to have lifted the trophy," said Li Hong, scorer of the decisive go-ahead goal. "Hopefully we will achieve good results at next year's World Cup."
 
China's Zou Meirong finished the tournament as top scorer with 11 goals, while 18-year-old Luo Yaxi was named Best Young Player.