Women’s Junior Asia Cup: India begins campaign with dominating 13-1 win against Bangladesh
The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team got off to a rollicking start at the Women’s Asia Cup, comfortably defeating Bangladesh 13-1 in their Pool A match in the opening game of the prestigious event.
Mumtaz Khan (27′, 32′, 53′, 58′) top-scored in the team’s victory with four goals, while Deepika (7′, 20′, 55′) and Kanika Siwach (12′, 51′, 51′) completed hat-tricks in India’s high-scoring encounter. Manisha (10′), Beauty Dung Dung (33′), and Sakshi Rana (43′) also found the back of the net. For Bangladesh, Orpita Pal (12′) was the lone goal-scorer.
Dragflick specialist Deepika opened the scoring for India in the seventh minute through a well-converted penalty corner (PC). India doubled their lead in the 10th minute with another PC, this time converted cleverly by Manisha. In the 12th minute, India extended their lead to 3-0 with a superb field goal from Kanika Siwach, putting them in a commanding position.
In the same minute, an infringement by India gave Bangladesh a PC, which they converted through Orpita Pal to make it 3-1. However, India’s dominance remained intact, and Deepika added to their tally with a field goal in the 20th minute. Mumtaz Khan further increased the lead to 5-1 in the 27th minute, giving India a huge advantage going into the half-time break.
Mumtaz, with her international experience, scored again in the 32nd minute, and Beauty Dung Dung made it 7-1 in the 33rd minute. Sakshi Rana scored in the 43rd minute, continuing India’s onslaught. The final quarter was a mere formality for India, as the young defending champions pressed on with their aggressive play.
In the fourth quarter, both Kanika Siwach and Mumtaz Khan completed their hat-tricks. Siwach scored twice in the 51st minute, while Mumtaz added another in the 53rd minute to bring the scoreline to 11-1. As the clock neared the final hooter, Deepika joined the hat-trick club with a quick-fire field goal in the 55th minute. Mumtaz sealed the win with her fourth goal in the 58th minute, taking India’s final score to 13-1.
