Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier: Indian women's team thrash Malaysia in opener

Navjot Singh, Manika Toppo score a brace

The Indian Women’s Hockey Team started their campaign at the Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier with a 7-2 win against Malaysia on Friday. For India, Navjot Kaur (3’, 28’), Akshata Dhekale (4’), Mariana Kujur (17’), Monika Dipi Toppo (12’, 20’), and Mahima Choudhary (28’) were on target. For Malaysia, Wan Wan (7’) and Aziz Zafirah (11’) were on target. 

India made an attacking start to their first match with fast-paced set-play, scoring in the third minute through Captain Navjot Kaur (3′). India’s lead was doubled a minute later when Akshata Dhekale (4′) scored a field goal. Wan Wan’s (7′) strike gave Malaysia a goal back. Malaysia equalised four minutes before halftime thanks to Aziz Zafirah’s (11′) flawless conversion of the Challenge Goal. However, India quickly counterattacked and took the lead through Monika Dipi Toppo (12′). At the end of the first half, India were leading Malaysia by 3-2. 

A quick start to the second half saw India score their fourth goal in the 17th minute through Mariana Kujur, who made a run from the right flank, beating Malaysian defenders to find the back of the net. Monika Dipi Toppo (20’) was on the scoresheet once again as found the back of the net and extended India’s lead to 5-2. 

In the 28th minute, Mahima Choudhary made it 6-2 for India. With two minutes remaining, Captain Navjot Kaur found the back of the net for the second time. The game ended with the Indian Women’s Hockey Team winning 7-2. 

Indian Sports Live Coverage on Khel Now

• China Masters 2023: Satwik-Chirag defeat home pair He-Ren to reach final
• Sports Minister Anurag Thakur announces first-ever edition of Khelo India Para Games
• Pankaj Advani defeats Sourav Kothari to win record 26th IBSF World Billiards Championship title
• Rohan Bopanna reaches joint career-high WR-3 in men’s doubles ranking
• Neeraj Chopra among five finalists for Men’s World Athlete of the Year Award for 2023
• List of Indian athletes to have secured qualification for Paris Olympics 2024

India will next take on Japan on 26th August 2023, on Saturday.  

Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier will be live-streamed on https://www.youtube.com/@AsianHockeyFederation  

Schedule of the Indian Women’s Hockey Team:

• 26th August 2023, India vs Japan at 2130 hrs IST
• 27th August 2023, India vs Thailand at 1430 hrs IST  

For more updates, follow Khel Now on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram and join our community on Telegram.