India comfortably defeated Thailand by a 7-1 scoreline in their opening match of the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023 at the Marang Gomke Jaipal Singh Astroturf Hockey Stadium in Ranchi, Jharkhand, on Friday.
Monika (7’), Salima Tete (15’), Sangita Kumari (29’, 45’, 45’), Deepika (40’) and Lalremsiami (52’) scored for India while Samanso Supansa (22’) netted the consolation goal for the visitors.
The Indian women’s hockey team, ranked world No. 7, went on the offensive right from the start and penetrated the Thai circle in waves. Despite the many chances, though, world No. 29 Thailand defended in numbers and managed to hold onto the deadlock.
The breakthrough, however, looked inevitable and finally came in the seventh minute. Thai goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang was forced off her line to intercept an Indian attack but the loose ball fell to Monika at the edge of the circle. The Indian player dribbled into the attacking circle and slotted past an out-of-position Siraya to hand the hosts the lead.
India kept probing for more and finally doubled their advantage in the dying seconds of the opening quarter. Siraya, again, did well to keep out Navneet Kaur’s penalty corner but the rebound fell to local girl Salima Tete, who tapped into an open goal.
The Indian team continued with its attacking ploy in the second quarter but Thailand came out with more of an attacking intent and won a couple of penalty corners early on.
Samanso Supansa managed to deflect the second past Indian captain and goalkeeper Savita Punia to score what was Thailand’s first goal in international women’s hockey against India.
The joy, though, was short-lived as Sangita Kumari, another Jharkhand girl, restored India’s two-goal cushion just before the half-time hooter. The score stood 3-1 in India’s favour at the break.
After the restart, India continued dominating play and added three more to their tally in the third quarter. Deepika got the ball rolling before Sangita Kumari netted two more to complete her hat-trick.
Lalremsiami sealed off the commanding win with a goal in the fourth quarter.
The Indian women’s hockey team will face Malaysia next in the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday.
