India Crushes Thailand 11-0 in Asia Cup Women's Hockey

Hangzhou (China), Sep 5 (PTI): Dominating their opening game, India thrashed Thailand 11-0 in their women's Asia Cup hockey tournament match. Udita Duhan and Beauty Dung Dung were the stars of the match, each scoring a brace. Udita found the back of the net in the 30th and 52nd minutes from penalty corners, while Dung Dung converted in the 45th and 54th minutes. Other stand-out performers included Mumtaz Khan (7th minute), Sangita Kumari (10th), Navneet Kaur (16th), Lalremsiami (18th), Thoudam Suman Devi (49th), Sharmila Devi (57th), and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (60th).

Ninth-ranked India led the 30th-ranked Thailand by 5-0 at halftime in this Pool B clash. India's efficient performance was evident from their five successful conversions out of nine penalty corners, while the Thai side couldn't earn a single penalty corner in the match.

India established control early, with field goals by both Mumtaz and Sangita in the first quarter. The team's relentless attack continued into the second quarter, adding three more goals to extend their lead. Navneet and Lalremsiami's quick field goals were complemented by a precise penalty corner from Udita just before the halftime pause.

The momentum carried on unabated into the second half, with India consistently breaching Thailand's defenses. During the third quarter, the Indians won four penalty corners, with Dung Dung capitalizing on one in the 45th minute.

The final quarter saw India surge with five additional goals, sealing an emphatic victory. Penalty corner conversions by Mumtaz, Udita, and Sharmila, along with field goals from Dung Dung and Rutaja, showcased the team's prowess.

This eight-team tournament progresses with the top two from each pool moving into the Super 4s stage. The top two in the Super 4s will face off in the final on September 14. Though India is missing key players Savita Punia and Deepika due to injuries, the team is intent on securing the Asia Cup title and thereby a berth to the 2026 Women's World Cup in Belgium and the Netherlands.

Looking forward, India will next face Japan on Saturday, followed by their final pool match against Singapore on September 8.

(Only the headline of this report may have been reworked by Editorji; the rest of the content is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)