Indian women's hockey team begins Asian Champions Trophy campaign with emphatic 4-0 win against Malaysia
The Indian women's hockey team began its 2024 Asian Champions Trophy campaign with an emphatic 4-0 win over Malaysia on Monday (November 11).
Sangita Kumari gave the Indians an early lead in the opening quarter before a couple of quick goals from Preeti Dubey and Udita allowed the Indians to drive home the advantage late in the third quarter.
Sangita Kumari finished things off with an effort from open play in the final quarter which enabled the hosts to earn three vital points before taking on South Korea in the Asian Champions Trophy on Tuesday.
The Indians, who looked to control the proceedings right from the outset, veered off to a 1-0 lead in the eighth minute thanks to a penalty corner goal from Sangita Kumari.
Although the hosts came close to scoring a second, a barren second quarter saw India head into the long break with a slender one-goal advantage.
A scorching solo run from Sharmila Devi thrilled the fans at Rajgir but failed to result in a goal even as the Indians kept their feet on the pedal in the third quarter.
A flurry of penalty corners came India's way before Deepika and Preeti Dubey combined well to create a variation in the 43rd minute. Preeti did well to extend India's lead before Udita used her trademark slap shot to convert a short corner a minute later.
Sangita Kumari, who was unstoppable on the day, sealed the deal for the Indians following a brilliant run down the left flank before unleashing a shot that the Malaysian goalkeeper had no answer to.
What lies next for the Indians at the Asian Champions Trophy
The Indian women's hockey team began its Asian Champions Trophy campaign in inspiring fashion with a 4-0 win over Malaysia but still have a long way to go in the competition.
Harendra Singh's chargers will take on South Korea on November 12. The Koreans, ranked 15th as per the FIH, drew the tournament opener 2-2 with Japan.
After a rest day, the Indian girls will square off against Thailand before the big match against China on November 16.
China, the highest-ranked team in the competition (FIH ranking 6), stunned the hockey world by advancing to the final of the women's field hockey event at Paris 2024 before losing to the Netherlands in a shootout.
The Chinese girls thrashed Thailand by an imposing 15-0 margin in an Asian Champions Trophy game earlier on Monday.
India play their final game of the preliminary round-robin stage against Japan on November 17.