Asian Games 2023 women’s hockey: India beat Malaysia 6-0 to top Pool A

The Indian women's hockey team continued its winning run at the Asian Games 2023 with a 6-0 win over Malaysia at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China on Friday.

Monika (7’), Deep Grace Ekka (8’), Nisha (11’), Vaishnavi Phalke (15), Sangita Kumari (24’) and Lalremsiami (50’) scored a goal each to secure the three points for India.

With the victory, the Indian women’s hockey team rose to the top of the Pool A standings. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals.

This was India’s second win in the Asian Games 2023 women’s hockey tournament in as many matches. They beat Singapore 13-0 in the opener on Wednesday.

India, seventh in the women’s hockey rankings, made a strong start and took the lead minutes into the match. Monika received a pass inside the opponent half and slotted it in to make it 1-0 for India.

With Malaysia, world No. 18, pushing forward in search of an equaliser, India made the most of the space left behind the Malaysian defence and netted three more goals courtesy of Deep Grace Ekka, Nisha and Vaishnavi Phalke. The first quarter ended 4-0 in India’s favour.

In the second quarter of the hockey match, India continued to exert pressure on the Malaysian backline. After a brief resistance from the Malaysian defence, India found the back of the net through Sangita Kumari. The first half came to an end with India leading 5-0.

After the break, the Indian team controlled the tempo of the game and added another goal through Lalremsiami in the final quarter to wrap up the contest.  

The Indian women’s hockey team will play the Republic of Korea next on Sunday.