'The final was intense; Chinese were breathing down our necks': Harmanpreet Singh after record fifth ACT

Indian men's hockey team captain Harmanpreet Singh on Sunday said the final against China in the fifth edition of the Asia Cup was "intense" as the rivals "breathed down their necks" throughout the match.

India defeated China 5-4 in a penalty shootout after the match ended 3-3 in regulation time to clinch the title.

India had won the title four times in 2003, 2007, 2013 and 2017.

Harmanpreet said that the team had to dig deep to win the match.

"The final was intense. The Chinese were breathing down our necks throughout the match. We had to work really hard and dig deep to win the match," he said.

Harmanpreet also praised the team's goalkeeper PR Sreejesh for his performance in the match.

"Sreejesh was outstanding today. He made some crucial saves and kept us in the game," he said.

India had a good start to the match and took an early lead through Akashdeep Singh in the fourth minute.

However, China equalised in the 15th minute through Guo Cheng.

India regained the lead in the 22nd minute through Mandeep Singh, but China levelled again in the 27th minute through Liu Yixuan.

India took the lead for the third time in the 40th minute through Harmanpreet, but China equalised again in the 51st minute through Ao Yuanbo.

The match then went into a penalty shootout, where India won 5-4.

Harmanpreet said that the team is happy to have won the title.

"We are really happy to have won the title. It was a tough tournament, but we played well and deserved to win," he said.