Kakamigahara: The Indian women’s hockey team roared to a wonderful start in the Women’s Asia Cup as they thrashed Singapore 10-0 in the Kakamigahara on Saturday. Goals from Navneet Kaur (3rd and 41st minute), skipper Rani Rampal (15th and 18th), Lalremsiami (18th), Deep Grace Ekka (25th), Navjot Kaur (30th and 50th), Gurjit Kaur (41th) and Sonika (45th) to complete the rout and begin their campaign in style.
The Rani Rampal led side began on a positive note as they attacked from all sides to find the opening goal. These repeated efforts yielded results when they won back-to-back penalty corners in the first quarter. The first one was saved by Singapore stopper Felissa Lai but the Indians continued attacking leading to Navneet and Rani finding the back of the net two times to help India lead 2-0 in the first quarter.
Lalremsiami, Navjot, Deep Grace Ekka and the captain herself once again was on the money as they netted four more goals to head into the break taking a 6-0 lead in the match.
The seventh goal for India came in the 41st minute from dragflicker Gurjit Kaur. Two more goals in the third quarter from Navneet Kaur and Sonika helped the Indians completely dictate terms against their opponents.
The Women in Blue also won back-to-back penalty corners in the last 15 minutes but they couldn’t capitalise on it. Nonetheless, Navjot’s 50th goal made it 10-0 for her team. India’s defence was strong throughout the match as they didn’t concede even a single goal.
In the other match, China edged past Malaysia 5-4 in a closely fought match.