– by Pratyusha Mukherjee, Aichi-Nagoya, Japan
India maintained their unbeaten run at the Asian Games 2026, defeating Singapore 7-0 on Sunday to seal top spot in Pool B and book a place in the semi-finals.
Playing in persistent rain in Kakamigahara, India dominated from the outset but had to be patient against a disciplined Singapore defence. The victory was their fifth in as many matches, with India finishing the pool stage with an impressive goal difference of +63.
India will face South Korea in the semi-finals on September 30. South Korea secured second place in Pool A after a 2-1 win over Malaysia. The other semi-final will see China take on Japan.
India had chances early on, earning their first penalty corner in the opening minute, but Deepika’s drag-flick was deflected away. Another penalty corner soon followed after a successful video referral, but Singapore’s defence held firm.
Goalkeeper Felissa Lai was particularly impressive as Singapore repeatedly absorbed India’s pressure. India earned more than five penalty corners in the opening quarter but could not find a breakthrough.
The breakthrough finally arrived in the 17th minute. Navneet’s first-time effort was saved, but the rebound fell to captain Salima Tete, who calmly found the back of the net to put India ahead.
India doubled their advantage five minutes later when Sunelita Toppo finished from close range following a penalty-corner scramble. Sunelita struck again two minutes later, deflecting Deepika’s flick past the goalkeeper to make it 3-0.
Deepika then got on the scoresheet in the 26th minute when her penalty-corner effort took a deflection off Lalremsiami’s stick and found the net. Three minutes later, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal capitalised on a defensive error, lifting the ball over Lai to make it 5-0.
After a goalless first quarter, India had scored five times in the second to take complete control of the contest.
Nikki Pradhan added India’s sixth in the 35th minute after another penalty-corner sequence ended in a goalmouth scramble. India continued to dominate possession and territory, although Singapore’s compact defence prevented further damage through most of the third quarter.
Lalremsiami came close twice, while India earned several more penalty corners late in the quarter, but Singapore goalkeeper Lai continued to frustrate the Indian attack.
India finally added a seventh in the 55th minute. Deepika made no mistake from another penalty corner, sending a precise flick into the corner of the goal.
Singapore had a late opportunity to pull one back when Qian Xiao Kwek broke through after an Indian turnover and found herself one-on-one with goalkeeper Bichu Devi. However, her attempt went wide.
India saw out the final minutes comfortably to complete a 7-0 victory and finish the pool stage with a perfect five wins from five.
With the semi-finals now in sight, India will turn their attention to South Korea on September 30, with a place in the Asian Games final at stake.
