India register third straight win in Asian Champions Trophy, Deepika stars in thumping 13-0 rout of Thailand  

The Indian women's hockey team registered its third successive win at the Bihar Women's Asian Champions Trophy with a thumping 13-0 rout of Thailand on Thursday (November 14). Aided by five goals from Deepika, who scored off penalty corners and open play, the home side now has a goal difference of +18 as compared to China who are at +21.

Despite continuing struggles with their penalty corners in the first half, the Indian girls were in complete command of the proceedings right from the outset, with Deepika playing a stellar role throughout the contest.

Deepika scored her hattrick goal of the match with a splendid drag-flick in the third quarter before scoring a couple more from open play.

A thundering tomahawk from Deepika helped the Indians open the scoring in the second minute even as Thai goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang was kept busy.

Preeti Dubey, who was in the thick of things, doubled the lead for the home side in the 10th minute. Lalremsiami, playing her 150th international for the Indians, deflected one in from close range a minute later after the Thai goalie managed to stop Salima Tete's shot on target.

Deepika scored in the 18th minute off an assist from Navneet Kaur with a splendid strike that dissected a couple of defenders before sailing into the back of the net at the far post even as Siraya had the near post covered.

The Indians, who struggled with their penalty corners, finally managed to convert just before half-time. A goalmouth melee that followed Lalremsiami's slap shot gave Beauty Dungdung a chance to tap one into the back of the net in the 30th minute

Preeti Dubey had ample time to take aim at an open net after having beaten an advancing Siraya Yimkrajang in the 40th minute to enable the Indians to lead by half a dozen unanswered goals.

Deepika then beat the Thai goalie with a lethal drag-flick in the 43rd minute to make amends for India's penalty corner woes before scoring a couple more including one from open play immediately after.

The ever-reliable Navneet Kaur, who appeared circumspect in the striking circle, did her confidence a world of good by scoring India's 10th goal in the 53rd minute.

Manisha Chauhan and Lalremsiami scored off drag-flicks after Harendra Singh took goalkeeper Bichu Devi off in the 55th minute before Manisha scored again from open play in the 58th minute.

India set for toughest battle yet against upbeat Chinese side at Asian Champions Trophy

India face China at the Asian Champions Trophy on Saturday - Source: Getty

With three wins against their name in the ongoing Asian Champions Trophy, the Indian women's hockey team is all set for their toughest battle yet. Harendra Singh's chargers take on Asian Games gold medalists and Olympic silver medalists China on Saturday (November 16).

The Indians will be keen to get the better of a side they lost to by a 0-4 margin in the semifinals of the 2023 Asian Games. China beat Japan 2-1 on Thursday to notch up their third win in the Asian Champions Trophy.

Interestingly, the Indians beat China 2-1 in a pool game of the Asian Champions Trophy last year, but Alyson Annan's team was without some of its key players in Ranchi.

Both India and China have nine points from three games at the Asian Champions Trophy.