Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Indian Team Starts On A Winning Note

 

The Indian women’s hockey team began the Asian Champions Trophy on a winning note beating Malaysia in a one-sided contest played at Rajgir Sports Complex, Bihar on 11^th November 2024. Under the captaincy of Salima Tete, the hosts struggled with the penalty corners but created enough pressure on the opponents with aggressive moves.

The Malaysian team started the first quarter on a positive move putting pressure on the Indian team. They earned a penalty corner which did not yield any results. Savita Punia made a super save to deny them the lead. India earned their first penalty corner as the drag-flick was not taken properly. They earned their 2^nd penalty corner as Sangita Kumari scored the goal from a lovely pass by Deepika in the 6^th minute to give the Indian team a 1-0 lead.  The Indian team kept pressure on their defense with attacking moves but could not convert chances into goals. Right before the hooter, India earned two back-to-back penalty corners which did not yield any results. At the end of the first quarter, India led 1-0.

Indian team put enough pressure with attacking moves in the 2^nd quarter. They kept hitting shots while the Malaysian defense looked solid enough to deny the Indian team goals. The hosts earned three penalty corners in quick succession which did not yield any results. The hosts earned four penalty corners but could not yield any results. India was awarded a penalty corner, but Malaysia took a review, and it was overturned to bully. At the end of the first half, India still led 1-0. There was 61 percent possession for the Indian team in the first half while 16 circle penetrations.

It was an ideal start for the hosts in the 3^rd quarter as they earned a penalty corner. Deepika hit a powerful shot which was well saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper Siti Nasir. Soon after, Malaysia earned their 2^nd penalty corner in this match but could not yield any results. Indian team kept the pressure on their defense with attacking moves but could not convert into goals. After lots of attempts, Preeti Dubey scored from a penalty corner deflection in the 43^rd minute to give a 2-0 lead. The hosts made it 3-0 in the very next minute with a penalty corner goal by Udita. At the end of the 3^rd quarter, India led 3-0.

The fourth quarter began on a positive note for the Indian team with another penalty corner which was well by Nasir. Sangita Kumari hit a powerful reverse flick shot that went into the goal in the 55^th minute to make it 4-0 for India. The Malaysian team showed some resistance with a penalty corner but yielded in no-result. It was an impressive performance as the Indian team won the match by 4-0 after missing so many chances in the first 2 quarters.

Indian team earned 3 points along with China while the match between South Korea and Japan ended in a 2-2 draw. The hosts India will face South Korea in their next match tomorrow.

 

Indian Women's team starts Asian Champions Trophy 2024 on a winning note beating Malaysia 4-0