The Indian women's hockey team maintained their perfect record in Pool B with a commanding 7-0 victory over Singapore to advance to the Asian Games semifinals.
The Indian women's hockey team finished their Pool B campaign unbeaten at the Asian Games after trouncing Singapore 7-0. With five wins from as many matches, India topped the pool to set up a semifinal clash against Korea scheduled for September 30.
Skipper Salima Tete broke the deadlock two minutes into the second quarter with a field goal in the 17th minute. Sunelita Toppo quickly doubled the lead in the 22nd minute off a botched penalty corner, before scoring her second goal two minutes later by directing in Deepika's flick from a penalty corner variation.
Lalremsiami extended the margin in the 26th minute by deflecting another Deepika flick, and Rutuja Dadoso Pisal made it 5-0 with a field goal in the 29th minute. In the second half, Nikki Pradhan pushed home a loose ball four minutes into the third quarter (35th minute), and Deepika added the seventh goal in the 55th minute with a powerful penalty corner flick.
Despite the high scoreline, India struggled with set-piece conversions against a gritty Singapore defense. Singapore denied India eight penalty corners in the first quarter alone. Out of 24 penalty corners earned across the first three quarters, the Indians managed to convert just three.
In the other semifinal, defending champions and reigning Olympic silver medallists China will take on hosts Japan.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.