Muscat (Oman), Jan 25: Indian Women’s hockey team advanced to the semifinal of the Asia Cup and sealed a spot for the 2022 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup to be held in Spain and Netherlands.
India claimed a comprehensive 9-1 win against Singapore in their last Pool A match on Monday here in Muscat. Gurjit Kaur (8′, 37′, 48′) bagged a hat-trick, Monika (6′, 17′) and Jyoti (43′, 58′) scored two goals each, while Vandana Katariya (8′) and Mariana Kujur (10′) contributed a goal each for India. Li Min Toh (43′) scored the only goal for Singapore.
India was quick to get off the blocks in the first quarter, making inroads into Singapore’s circle with a structured attack and dominating the possession throughout the first 15 minutes. The first goal came through Monika’s clear-cut reverse flick in the 6th minute and in no time India went on to take a 3-0 lead, courtesy of goals from Vandana and Gurjit, who successfully converted the Penalty Corner in the 8th minute of the match.
In the next minute, the Indian eves earned their second Penalty Corner of the match. However, Deep Grace Ekka’s attempt was saved by Singaporean goalkeeper Yu Tong Liu.
The fourth goal was added by young forward Mariana in the 10th minute. The second quarter started in a similar fashion with India making moves in Singapore’s half. They won a PC in just the second minute of the second quarter. Experienced Monika, who set the tempo of the match, made no mistake to bag India’s fifth and her second goal of the match. Savita-led India won two penalty corners in the initial minutes of the second half, but couldn’t convert the chances to extend their lead.
India earned yet another penalty corner, which was duly converted by drag flick specialist Gurjit in the 37th minute of the match. Singapore earned a hard-fought PC in the 43rd minute of the third quarter and managed to fetch the first goal with Li Min Toh’s attempt.
India responded straight away with a goal from Jyoti, who found the back of the net through a cross from the left flank making the scoreline 7-1 at the end of the third quarter. Continuing to dominate the proceedings, India went on to add the eighth goal to their tally through Gurjit’s penalty corner conversion in the 48th minute. In the 58th minute, Jyoti went on to add her second goal to India’s scoreline, thus ending the match with a 9-1 score. India will take on Korea in the semifinal on January 26.Â
