Deepika Scores 8 as India Women Thrash Uzbekistan 19-0 in Asian Games Opener

Kakamilgahara, September 20: Deepika starred with eight goals as the Indian women's hockey team launched its Asian Games campaign emphatically, thrashing Uzbekistan 19-0 in their opening Pool B encounter here on Sunday.

India, the second-highest ranked team in the competition, dominated from the opening whistle and left the Uzbek defence struggling to cope with the relentless pressure. The gulf in quality between the two sides was evident throughout the contest as India maintained a constant attacking threat.

Lalremsiami opened the scoring in the seventh minute with a close-range field goal before Deepika added her first a minute later. Ishika then produced a fine first-time finish in the 11th minute, while Baljeet Kaur made it 4-0 shortly after.

Neha extended India's advantage in the 18th minute before Deepika converted a penalty corner with a powerful drag-flick. Navneet Kaur then got on the scoresheet before Deepika struck again from a penalty corner, giving India an 8-0 lead at half-time.

The Indian attack showed no signs of slowing after the break, with 11 more goals arriving across the final two quarters. Deepika continued her remarkable scoring run, finding the net in the 22nd, 25th, 33rd, 36th, 38th, 41st and 54th minutes to complete an eight-goal haul.

Ishika scored three times in total, while Navneet Kaur, Lalthantluangi and others also contributed to the rout. The Indian defence faced little pressure as Uzbekistan struggled to retain possession and create meaningful opportunities.

The match also marked a milestone for veteran goalkeeper Savita Punia, who earned her 320th international cap. With the appearance, she joined Vandana Katariya as the joint-most capped Indian women's hockey player.

India will next face Indonesia on Monday as they continue their Pool B campaign.