Kakamigahara, September 20 (Daily Kiran) : The Indian women’s hockey team kicked off their Asian Games 2026 campaign with an impressive 19-0 victory over Uzbekistan on Sunday at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara.
Deepika emerged as the standout player, scoring an astonishing eight goals. Ishika contributed three goals, while Lalthantluangi and Neha each added two. Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Lalremsiyami, and Sakshi Rana also found the net, scoring one goal each.
The Indian team showcased a dominant performance, leading 8-0 by halftime, thanks to Deepika’s hat trick. After the break, they continued to stifle Uzbekistan’s offense, with Deepika netting four more goals to extend the lead to 13-0.
Ishika, Lalthantluangi, Sakshi, and Navneet joined in on the scoring spree, sealing a remarkable 19-0 victory and marking a strong start to their tournament.
This match was significant for Savita Punia, as it marked her 320th international appearance, tying her with Vandana Katariya for the most matches played by an Indian female hockey player. Additionally, this was Baljeet’s 50th match in her career.
The Indian women entered the Asian Games with renewed vigor after finishing fifth in the FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup 2026. Under the leadership of captain Salima Tete, the team aims to convert their bronze medal from the 2023 Asian Games into gold this time around. Their next match is scheduled against Indonesia on Monday, a crucial encounter as teams vie for qualification for the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
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