– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
India continued their dominant run with a thumping 20-1 victory over Thailand, with Deepika scoring an extraordinary nine goals as the Indian side registered their biggest win of the tournament so far.
India added to their advantage in the 45th minute when captain Salima Tete got on the scoresheet. Sushila’s delivery into the circle found Navneet, who cleverly laid the ball off to an unmarked Tete, allowing the India skipper to tap home and make it 16-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Rutuja completed her hat-trick early in the final quarter, finding the net in the 47th minute. Deepika was denied moments later as the Thailand goalkeeper produced an excellent save from a penalty corner.
Deepika, however, would not be kept out for long. She struck again in the 51st minute to claim her eighth goal of the match, before Navneet added her fourth almost immediately to take India’s tally to 19.
Thailand finally found a breakthrough in the 57th minute when Supansa Samanso converted their only penalty corner of the match, giving the visitors a consolation goal.
India quickly regained control and earned another penalty corner just seconds later. Deepika duly converted to complete a remarkable nine-goal haul and cap a commanding 20-1 victory.
India will next take on Japan on September 25, as they look to maintain their winning momentum.
