Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024: Defending champs India start with big win over Malaysia

Sangita Kumari scored a brace for the hosts in their Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 opener.

The Indian women’s hockey team kicked off their Bihar Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 campaign with a 4-0 victory against Malaysia in the historic city of Rajgir today. Sangita Kumari (8’, 55’), Preeti Dubey (43’), and Udita (44’) found the back of the net in a game that saw India create numerous opportunities and put on a solid defensive performance to walk away with three points.

India were slow to start the game and Malaysia’s Nur Mohd was presented with the first opportunity to score after a clever run in behind the defence but Indian goalkeeper Savita was on hand to bail the team out and save them from early blushes. Malaysia earned a penalty corner soon after but the shot was deflected wide.

Jolted into action, the Indian women’s hockey team wrestled back control over the ball and earned two penalty corners in quick succession. On the second occasion, after a fumbled stop, Deepika shot the ball towards goal and Sangita Kumari was alert to slot the ball into goal from close range and make it 1-0 for India.

India continued to press the Malaysian team and created two chances for Preeti Dubey to score but she was unable to convert. Captain Salima Tete earned a penalty corner with 10 seconds to go but India couldn’t capitalise.

Perfect start for defending champions India in Women's Asian Champions Trophy 2024. 🇮🇳🥳Sangita Kumari scored a brace while Preeti and Udita also scored against Malaysia🇲🇾.China🇨🇳 smashed Thailand🇹🇭 15-0 while Japan🇯🇵 and South Korea🇰🇷 played 2-2 draw in the other 2️⃣ matches.… pic.twitter.com/sRybuQeYRE

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) November 11, 2024

The Women in Blue pressed their advantage in the second quarter, constantly probing into the opposition circle and sending the defence into a scramble but were unable to find the finishing touch. They then proceeded to slow down the tempo in search for a clear goal scoring chance.

Lalremsiami earned a penalty corner with a blazing run down the baseline with four minutes left for half time, but Neha’s shot sailed wide of the post. They even earned a penalty corner at the stroke of half time but failed to change the scoreline.

Also Read: Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2024 updated schedule, fixtures, results, live streaming details

The game played out in a similar fashion in the third quarter with Deepika earning a penalty corner soon after the start but Navneet Kaur’s shot from a variation was easily swatted away. Against the run of play, Malaysia drew a penalty corner but Savita was alert again to stop the attempt at her goal.

On the other hand, the Indian men’s hockey team continued to look for an opening. They earned another penalty corner with three minutes left and Navneet Kaur rocketed the ball to Preeti Dubey, whose angled stick deflected the ball into goal and doubled India’s lead. This was followed up by another penalty corner, this time Udita stepped up to sound the backboard and make it 3-0 for India ahead of the last quarter.

India pressed on for more goals in the fourth quarter and earned a penalty corner with 10 minutes left in the game although, goalkeeper Siti Nasir stopped Udita’s attempt this time. With more control in the game India continued to peg Malaysia back in the own half and create chances.

The Women in Blue embarked on another quick transition with Sangita who weaved past two defenders into the shooting circle and unleashed a reverse tomahawk to make it a brace for her on the day and end the game in India’s favour.

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