Hangzhou, 27th September 2023: Indian Women’s Hockey Team opened their 19th Asian Games Hangzhou 2022 campaign in style by defeating Singapore 13-0 in a Pool A match on Wednesday. Udita (6’), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (8’), Deepika (11’), Navneet Kaur (14’, 14’), Deep Grace Ekka (17’), Neha (19’), Sangita Kumari (23’, 47’, 53’), Salima Tete (35’), Monika (52’) and Vandana Katariya (56’) were the goal scorers for India.
~Udita, Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, Deepika, Navneet Kaur, Deep Grace Ekka, Neha, Sangita Kumari, Salima Tete, Monika, and Vandana Katariya scored goals for India~
India displayed their dominance from the word go, pressing relentlessly and launching consistent attacks against Singapore courtesy of which they even won two early penalty corners and Udita (6’) converted the second one to give them a much deserving lead early in the game. Moments later after scoring their first goal, the Indian team won a penalty stroke and they capitalised on it through Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (8’), who slotted the ball in the left bottom corner to give her side a 2-0 lead. The goals kept coming for India as Deepika (11’) converted a penalty corner to extend her team’s lead, following which Navneet Kaur (14’, 14’) netted two goals – one through a penalty corner and the other by smartly dodging the Singapore defenders and goalkeeper to give India a solid 5-0 lead by the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter continued in a similar fashion, with the Indian team maintaining control of the game through ball possession and relentless attacks, which once again paid off as Deep Grace Ekka (17’) and Neha (19’) converted penalty corners with ease, while Sangita Kumari (23’) scored a brilliant field goal as India entered the halftime with a commanding 8-0 lead.
Unflustered by their substantial lead, India continued their dominance as Salima Tete (35’) netted a field goal to make sure that the third quarter ended with India leading 9-0.
The Indian team showed no signs of slowing down in the final quarter as Sangita Kumari (47’, 53’) netted two goals, while Monika (52’) and Vandana Katariya (56’) scored a goal each to help India register a 13-0 win.
Indian Women’s Hockey Team will next face off against Malaysia on Friday, September 29th, 2023 at 1600 hrs IST.
Schedule of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team:On 29th September 2023, India Vs Malaysia at 1600 hrs ISTOn 1st October 2023, India Vs Korea at 1330 hrs ISTOn 3rd October 2023, India Vs Hong Kong China at 0745 hrs IST
The matches will be broadcast live on Sony Sports Network and live stream on Sony Liv.
HOCKEY INDIA TEAM PARTNERS
Odisha (India’s Best Kept Secret) – Major Team Partner
Sports Authority of India (SAI)
Shiv Naresh
About HOCKEY INDIA
HOCKEY INDIA (HI) is the governing body with exclusive mandate to direct and conduct all activities for both men and women’s hockey in India. It is recognized by the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports, Govt. of India as the sole body responsible towards promoting Hockey in India.
Headquartered in New Delhi, Hockey India was established on 20th May, 2009 and is affiliated to the International Hockey Federation (FIH), the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) and Asian Hockey Federation (AHF).
Committed to the development of Hockey in the country, Hockey India with the assistance of Sports Authority of India and Department of Sports, Government of India, trains players at sub-junior, junior and senior level. The governing body engages in Coaching the coaches with International Standard certification programs, educates and equips technical officials and umpires to find a foothold in international arena, provides world-class infrastructure and International exposure for the players besides regular international competition. Hockey India has also pioneered in bringing top International hockey events to India such as the FIH Men’s World Cup in 2010 and 2018, FIH Champions Trophy in 2014, FIH Junior Men’s World Cup in 2016 and 2021, FIH Hockey World League Final in 2017. With its vision to popularize the game and constantly promote it, Hockey India brought the Indian Men’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world. Hockey India is also dedicated to getting the Indian Women’s Hockey Team into the top three in the world.
About ODISHA
Odisha – the Eastern State of India – is known for its love for Hockey and over the years it has evolved to be the Global Hub of Hockey. The State successfully hosted the Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup Bhubaneswar 2018, followed by the FIH Men’s Series Finals Bhubaneswar Odisha, FIH Olympic Qualifiers Odisha, and FIH Hockey Pro League 2020-21. Odisha has previously hosted the Champions Trophy 2014 and the Odisha Men’s Hockey World League Final Bhubaneswar 2017. Odisha also hosted the FIH Men’s Hockey Junior World Cup in 2021.
Kalinga Lancers, the team owned by the State, were the winners in the Hockey India League 2017. Taking a step further towards realising the dream of restoring the glory of Indian Hockey at the global level, the State is sponsoring the Indian Hockey Teams till 2033.
Odisha also hosted the FIH Odisha Hockey Men’s World Cup 2023.
