India, Oct. 4 -- More than ending India's 44-year wait for an Asian Games women's hockey gold, veteran India goalkeeper Savita Punia said securing direct qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics was the team's overriding objective, with the new coaching set-up transforming the side's environment, unity and belief over the last 10 months. India's 1-0 victory over defending champions and Olympic silver medallists China in the final on Friday not only brought an end to a long-standing gold medal drought but also ensured the team would have nearly two years to prepare for the Los Angeles Games without the burden of Olympic qualification hanging over them.

"When our new staff (led by head coach Sjoerd Marijne) came in, we had only one ...