Indian women’s hockey team record 13-0 win in Asian Champions Trophy

The Indian women’s hockey team registered a thumping 13-0 win over Thailand in their third group stage match of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium on Thursday.

Deepika (3rd minute, 19th, 43rd, 45th, 45+), Preeti Dubey (9th minute, 40th), Lalremsiami (12th, 56th), Beauty Dungdung (30th), Navneet Kaur (53rd) and Manisha Chauhan (55th, 58th) found the back of the net in the emphatic win for India.

Lelremsiami achieved the significant milestone of making 150 appearances for the Indian Women’s Hockey Team in this match, along with Preeti Dubey, who completed 50 caps on Thursday as well.

India came out all guns blazing in the first quarter. Deepika seized the first opportunity, launching a reverse tomahawk from the centre of the circle that blasted past Thailand’s goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang. It wasn’t long before Sangita, from the right wing, cut the ball back to Preeti, who, on her 50th appearance, doubled India’s lead with a simple push into the goal. Lalremsiami, celebrating her milestone day, also found the back of the net with three minutes left in the quarter, tapping in a stray ball after Salima Tete’s shot was saved on the goal-line.

India's high-octane play continued into the second quarter. They earned a penalty corner within two minutes. Although Thailand scrambled to save multiple attempts on their goal, Deepika soon pounced on a loose ball in the circle after Navneet Kaur’s pass was intercepted, rifling it into the net with a swift half turn to make it 4-0 for India. India's defence was impenetrable, shutting down any counter-attacks. In the last minute of the first half, India earned another penalty corner. After a chaotic sequence of close-range shots and saves, Beauty was on hand to roll the ball into the goal.

Deepika Sehrawat ready to drag-flick

With five minutes left in the third quarter, India initiated a counterattack through Vaishnavi, who found Preeti running beyond Thailand’s defence. Preeti bypassed the onrushing keeper to knock the ball into an empty goal, scoring her second and making it 6-0. Showing no signs of slowing down, Deepika stepped up from a penalty corner to find the top left corner of the goal, completing her hattrick as the quarter came to a close. With seconds left, Deepika again pounced on a deflected ball in the shooting circle and unleashed a rocket on the reverse to score her fourth goal. But Deepika wasn't done yet—from another penalty corner, she picked the bottom right corner this time, making it 9-0 for India.

Preeti Dubey happy after the game

India continued their dominance in the fourth quarter, keeping the Thailand defence constantly on edge. With seven minutes left, Navneet Kaur sneaked a shot past the goalkeeper to score yet another goal for India. The relentless pressure earned India a penalty corner five minutes from time. Manisha stepped up and delivered a precise drag-flick between the goalkeeper’s legs, extending India's lead to 11 goals. Following this, Bichu Devi Kharibam was pulled out to further bolster the Indian attack, which immediately resulted in another penalty corner. Udita skillfully slapped the ball to Lalremsiami, who deflected it into the goal. Not long after, Manisha capitalised on a loose ball in the shooting circle, rolling it into the goal from a wide angle to make it 13-0.

Tags : Indian women's hockey team, Asian Champions Trophy, Rajgir, Bihar, Thailand, Deepika, Preeti Dubey, Lalremsiami, Beauty Dungdung, Navneet Kaur, Manisha Chauhan