Asian Games hockey: Deepika’s nine-goal present powers India to 20-1 win over Thailand
NEW DELHI: Deepika produced a surprising nine-goal present as India continued their dominant run in girls’s hockey on the 2026 Asian Games, thrashing Thailand 20-1 of their Pool B match on the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Wednesday.The ahead and drag-flick specialist transformed all 9 of her objectives from penalty corners as India registered their third straight victory of the competitors.The win saved the Sjoerd Marijne-coached facet on the prime of the Pool B standings.
Deepika’s nine-goal present
Deepika was the star of the match, scoring 9 instances in a outstanding particular person efficiency.All 9 objectives got here from penalty corners, with Deepika repeatedly discovering a well beyond the Thailand defence as India dominated the competition.Navneet Kaur added 4 objectives, whereas Rutuja Pisal accomplished her hat-trick.Neha, Lalremsiami, Sakshi Rana and captain Salima Tete additionally discovered the web as India maintained strain all through the match.
Thailand discover a late aim
Thailand managed to keep away from a clear sheet solely late within the fourth quarter.Supansa Samanso scored Thailand’s solely aim with a drag-flick from a penalty nook. Her effort took a slight deflection earlier than discovering its method into the Indian aim.It was the one time Thailand managed to beat the Indian defence.
India proceed their aim rush
India had opened their marketing campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan earlier than following it up with a 17-1 victory over Indonesia.Deepika had additionally scored a hat-trick in opposition to Indonesia, whereas Rutuja and Navneet additionally hit three objectives every in that match.Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami and Sakshi scored two objectives apiece, whereas Ishika and Salima additionally discovered the goal.India took a while to settle in opposition to Indonesia, however Deepika broke the impasse within the eighth minute after India earned 4 penalty corners in fast succession.Against Thailand, Deepika as soon as once more confirmed why she is such an essential a part of India’s penalty-corner assault.
Japan subsequent for India
India will subsequent face Japan on Friday as they appear to strengthen their place forward of the knockout levels.The Indian crew want to enhance on their bronze-medal end on the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.They are additionally chasing their first Asian Games gold in girls’s hockey since 1982, when India received the inaugural girls’s hockey title on the Games on dwelling soil.With three straight wins and 56 objectives of their opening matches, India have made a powerful begin to their Pool B marketing campaign.And after Deepika’s nine-goal efficiency in opposition to Thailand, India’s attacking risk seems even stronger heading into the subsequent stage of the competitors.
