This was always going to be the match where the floodgates opened for India as the Salima Tete-led side was playing Thailand, the lowest-ranked team at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir. India had never lost to Thailand and the latter had already been handed a 15-0 thrashing by a second-string Chinese side earlier this week.
Hence, there were few surprises as Deepika led the way with five goals, while three players scored twice each as India produced a relentless performance to win 13-0 on Thursday.
With the obvious caveat that India had their easiest match on paper, it was still an attacking display that pleased head coach Harendra Singh. He has been stressing on a few aspects over the past couple of weeks – first touch inside the circle, creating 1v1 situations across the field, and penalty corner conversion – and they clicked into place.
She came, She saw, She conquered#BiharWACTRajgir2024 #IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #WomensAsianChampionsTrophy #THAvIND
.
.
.@CMO_Odisha@IndiaSports@Media_SAI@sports_odisha
@FIH_Hockey
@Limca_Official@CocaCola@asia_hockey@BSSABihar pic.twitter.com/neE2MsvaCB— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 14, 2024
“I especially liked the connection between the defenders and attacking midfielders,” Harendra said after the match. “Most of the time, we tried to create the 1v1 situations, that’s our superiority and I feel that’s the essence of Indian hockey. When you have so many fast midfielders – Salima (Tete), Sharmila (Devi), Sunelita (Toppo), Lalremsiami – we should not hold that strength back.”
Deepika started the scoring in the third minute when she expertly controlled a drilled long pass into the circle by Jyoti from the right flank, took a couple of touches with her back to the goal, made space, and rifled a backhanded strike through Thailand goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang.
Preeti Dubey, on her return to the national side after last playing in 2017, swept home India’s second after a sharp combination of passes between Sunelita and Sangita. Then it was Siami’s turn to lift one from close range off a rebound as India scored three in the opening quarter to set the pace. Deepika made it 4-0 early in Q2 with a fine back-to-the-goal strike. India’s first four strikes were all field goals.
One of the areas of concern has been penalty corner conversion, and after squandering the first three, India managed to convert the fourth at the stroke of half time. It wasn’t the clearest of direct attempts but Siami’s strike led to a goalmouth scramble from which Beauty Dungdung lifted one over Siraya.
Second-half flurry
After a 10-minute lull at the start of the second half, the flurry restarted. Preeti scored arguably the best field goal of the day, as she received a brilliant through ball from Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and controlled it in her stride to beat the onrushing goalkeeper, calmly passing the ball into an empty net. It was the sort of speedy give-and-go move that Harendra has been asking for.
If that was the ideal passing move, India’s next goal was a perfect penalty corner execution. Deepika had been frustrated from set-pieces so far in this tournament, but finally nailed a direct effort on goal, high to the custodian’s right. It brought out the biggest smile on Harendra’s face on the sidelines. Deepika’s fourth and fifth goals came within a matter of minutes, and the latter was another well-executed drag-flick, this time low to the goalkeeper’s right.
“The coach has focused a lot on my footwork during drag- flicks. I still have to get better at it, and finishing as well. But ever since Harendra sir has come, he has done extra sessions with me on drag-flicks and it’s helped with the force of the shots,” the 20-year-old from Haryana said later.
💥 A dominant performance by Bharat Ki Sherniyan 💥
Team India delivers a statement win with a sensational 13-0 victory over Thailand at the Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024.
Watch the highlights as our fierce warriors put on an unforgettable show, thrilling… pic.twitter.com/4hN53SzKAG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 14, 2024
Harendra had told this daily before the tournament that Deepika has adjusted her technique but also mentioned he was hoping Manisha Chauhan too comes good from set-pieces. That happened in the final quarter as she scored her first senior international goal with her first drag-flick in the tournament. She would make it two shortly with a close-range finish. In between those goals, Navneet Kaur added her name to the scoresheet as well while Siami scored India’s 12th.
One of the aspects Harendra highlighted at the end was how the team wanted to make Siami’s night special.
“On her 150th appearance, Siami scored a couple of goals, and the team is happy with that. These are the things that help a team bond: something to celebrate. We decided we would get Siami on the scoresheet today and we were able to execute that on a special occasion,” he said.
With the win, India remain level with China on 9 points, but the latter is top of the table on goal difference given their better winning margins so far. It has set up a fascinating clash between the table-toppers on Saturday. India will take some confidence into that match after producing their most coordinated attacking display so far in Bihar.
I’m Manas Ranjan Sahoo: Founder of “Webtirety Software”. I’m a Full-time Software Professional and an aspiring entrepreneur, dedicated to growing this platform as large as possible. I love to Write Blogs on Software, Mobile applications, Web Technology, eCommerce, SEO, and about My experience with Life.
