In Hangzhou, the Indian women's hockey team defeated Singapore 13-0 to start their 2023 Asian Games campaign.
Shortly
- The Indian women's hockey team pounded Singapore 13-0 by scoring goals at will.
- In India's resounding victory, young attacker Sangita Kumari scored a hat-trick.
- On Friday, India's next Asian Games pool game will be against Malaysia.
A powerful Indian women's hockey team dominated Singapore 13-0 in its opening Pool A encounter at the Asian Games on Wednesday thanks in large part to the hat-trick of young attacker Sangita Kumari.
As many as eight goals were scored by the Indians in the first two quarters, but the Singaporeans did show some fight after the interval, only allowing five goals. Sangita scored three goals (in the 23rd, 47th, and 56th minutes), and Navneet Kaur scored twice in the 14th.
The other goal scorers were Vandana Katariya (56th), Sushila Chanu (8th), Deepika (11th), Deep Grace Ekka (17th), Neha (19th), Salima Tete (35th), Monika (52nd), and Udita (6th).
On Friday, India will play Malaysia in the following pool game.
The performance was strong, and we are pleased with the outcome. The younger females made a good contrast to the seniors. It made our job simple," remarked captain Savita following the game.
"In this case, we're going match by match. Our next target is Malaysia, and we have a day to prepare and research Malaysia's match. Just on our plans, please.
We have Korea in our pool as well, and they are a very strong squad, but we will work to win and finish first. Everyone knows why they are here, thus our perspective is correct. Our goal is to immediately qualify (for the Olympics)," she continued.
As the Savita Punia-led team mounted assault after attack to score eight goals in the first two quarters, the disparity between India and Singapore became clear.
After a barrage of penalty corners were awarded as a result of the Indians' continuous efforts, five of them were successfully converted. Udita's slap volley from a penalty corner in the sixth minute gave India the lead. They were given a penalty stroke two minutes later, and Sushila executed it flawlessly.
For the Indians, penalty corners came thick and fast, and Deepika quadrupled the lead with a flawless flick. Navneet scored two goals in a minute of play, the first coming from a penalty corner and the second coming from a field goal. Navneet stole the ball from a defender before slipping past the Singapore custodian and pushing the ball in with some deft stick work.
After Deep Grace scored with a slap shot from a penalty corner, Sangita followed suit with a superb field goal following a one-two with Lalremsiami. Neha later successfully completed a penalty corner to end the first half with a commanding 8-0 advantage. After the change of ends, the Indians kept up the same pattern and pressure on Singapore's government.
After Deep Grace scored with a slap shot from a penalty corner, Sangita followed suit with a superb field goal following a one-two with Lalremsiami. Neha later successfully completed a penalty corner to end the first half with a commanding 8-0 advantage. After the change of ends, the Indians stuck with their strategy and proceeded to target Singapore's defence, applying pressure.
In the latter two quarters, the Singaporeans demonstrated some defensive tenacity, but India still scored five more goals to complete a flawless campaign.
