Indian junior women’s hockey team got off to a rollicking start at Women’s Asia Cup on Sunday, comfortably defeating Bangladesh 13-1 in their Pool A match in the opening game of the event.
Mumtaz Khan (27′, 32′, 53′, 58′) top-scored for the team 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 put their names on the scoresheet. For Bangladesh, Orpita Pal (12′) was the lone goal-scorer, according to a Hockey India press release.
Drag-flick specialist Deepika opened the scoresheet for India in the 7th minute through a finely-converted penalty corner (PC). They doubled their lead in the 10th minute with another PC, this time a clever variation that saw Manisha register her name on the scoresheet. In the 12th minute, India took a commanding 3-0 lead when Kanika Siwach scored a splendid field goal.
However, an infringement by India in the same minute allowed Bangladesh a PC. Orpita Pal capitalized on the opportunity with a well-converted effort. Despite this, the Indian side maintained their tactical structure, continuing to attack and create scoring opportunities. Deepika struck again in the 20th minute with a fine field goal, while Mumtaz Khan extended the lead to 5-1 in the 27th minute, giving India a significant advantage at the halftime break.
The second half saw an even more dominant India. Mumtaz struck again in the 32nd minute, and Beauty Dung Dung followed up with a fine field goal in the 33rd, taking India’s lead to 7-1. Sakshi Rana scored in the 43rd minute, leaving the Bangladesh defense in tatters.
While the final quarter was only a formality for India, the defending champions continued their aggressive approach. Kanika Siwach and Mumtaz Khan completed their hat-tricks in the fourth quarter. Siwach scored twice in the 51st minute, while Mumtaz added another in the 53rd minute, taking India’s tally to 11-1. Deepika joined the party in the 55th minute, completing her hat-trick with a quick field goal. The relentless Indian onslaught concluded with Mumtaz scoring her fourth goal in the 58th minute, sealing the final scoreline at 13-1.
India will next face Malaysia on December 9th at 20:30 IST (8:30 PM).