New Delhi: Defending champions India started their Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on a solid note with a thumping 4-0 win over Malaysia at the Rajgir Hockey Stadium in Rajgir on Monday. This was the first major tournament for the Indian women’s hockey team under returning head coach Harendra Singh and new captain Salima Tete.
Young Indian striker Sangita Kumari led the scoring sheet with a brace while Preeti Dubey and Udita Duhan also contributed one goal apiece.
India started with attacking right down from the start, which was the theory of the team with the aim to score enough field goals. But much like the concerns of the past, the final result wasn’t met out, which was to find the back of the net. There were two circle entries made in the first five minutes but kudos to the Malaysian defence for averting the early threat.
But it was India’s relentless attack that helped them reap rewards as Udita’s turnaround flick was parried by the Malaysian goalkeeper, but Sangita was present near the goalpost and swiftly tapped in the ball to put India in the lead in the eighth minute. This came after India earned the second penalty corner, though the goal came after a lasting wait.
Preeti, Udita help India extend lead
Just before the end of the first quarter, Preeti was close to double India’s lead when she struck at the side of the goalpost, missing the target by a fraction of distance. The second quarter was goalless affair with India earning four penalty corners but couldn’t materialise on them.
Preeti scored India’s second goal while deflecting a Navneet Kaur flick which happened during a penalty corner conversion. In another penalty corner awarded to India, Udita slapped as the ball went like a bullet-tracer. Sangita scored another field goal just five minutes before the final whistle to finish as the top-scorer for the hosts.
In other matches of the day, Japan and Korea played out a 2-2 draw, while Olympic silver medallist China thrashed Thailand 15-0.
India will play their next match of the tournament against South Korea on Tuesday at the same venue.
Young Indian striker Sangita Kumari led the scoring sheet with a brace while Preeti Dubey and Udita Duhan also contributed one goal apiece. Other Sports Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
