NEW DELHI: Deepika produced a stunning nine-goal show as India continued their dominant run in women’s hockey at the 2026 Asian Games, thrashing Thailand 20-1 in their Pool B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Wednesday.The forward and drag-flick specialist converted all nine of her goals from penalty corners as India registered their third straight victory of the competition.The win kept the Sjoerd Marijne-coached side at the top of the Pool B standings.
Deepika’s nine-goal show
Deepika was the star of the match, scoring nine times in a remarkable individual performance.All nine goals came from penalty corners, with Deepika repeatedly finding a way past the Thailand defence as India dominated the contest.Navneet Kaur added four goals, while Rutuja Pisal completed her hat-trick.Neha, Lalremsiami, Sakshi Rana and captain Salima Tete also found the net as India maintained pressure throughout the match.
Thailand find a late goal
Thailand managed to avoid a clean sheet only late in the fourth quarter.Supansa Samanso scored Thailand’s only goal with a drag-flick from a penalty corner. Her effort took a slight deflection before finding its way into the Indian goal.It was the only time Thailand managed to beat the Indian defence.
India continue their goal rush
India had opened their campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan before following it up with a 17-1 victory over Indonesia.Deepika had also scored a hat-trick against Indonesia, while Rutuja and Navneet also hit three goals each in that match.Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami and Sakshi scored two goals apiece, while Ishika and Salima also found the target.India took some time to settle against Indonesia, but Deepika broke the deadlock in the eighth minute after India earned four penalty corners in quick succession.Against Thailand, Deepika once again showed why she is such an important part of India’s penalty-corner attack.
Japan next for India
India will next face Japan on Friday as they look to strengthen their position ahead of the knockout stages.The Indian team are looking to improve on their bronze-medal finish at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Games.They are also chasing their first Asian Games gold in women’s hockey since 1982, when India won the inaugural women’s hockey title at the Games on home soil.With three straight wins and 56 goals in their opening matches, India have made a strong start to their Pool B campaign.And after Deepika’s nine-goal performance against Thailand, India’s attacking threat looks even stronger heading into the next stage of the competition.
