India, Oct. 1 -- The stage is set for a Friday night blockbuster at the Asian Games that the entire hockey fraternity has been waiting for.

When India take the turf at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium against China in the women's hockey final, it will be the culmination of a rivalry that has become the most compelling narrative in the continent.

Ever since India's pulsating 2-2 draw at the World Cup in August against the Asian Games champions, this rematch has felt inevitable. Now, with a gold medal and a ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics on the line, an unbeaten and confident India will look to bring out their tactical best against the heavyweights of continental hockey.

Make no mistake, this China are a different beast compar...