India’s women’s hockey team began their Asia Cup campaign with an emphatic 11–0 victory over Thailand, but what stood out more than the scoreline was the approach they adopted in the absence of their established dragflickers. Coach Harendra Singh has consistently stressed the importance of focusing on process rather than just the outcome, and his players reflected that mindset in their opening Pool B clash in Hangzhou.

 

The team had to manage without Deepika, who is sidelined due to injury. Her absence is significant, especially since this tournament doubles up as a World Cup qualifier and tougher matches await, beginning with Japan on Saturday. When India last faced Japan at the Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir, they won 13–0, with Deepika contributing five goals and Manisha Chauhan also scoring from penalty corners. Neither player is part of the current squad, leaving Udita as the primary option from short corners.

 

Udita delivered on that responsibility, scoring twice and assisting once, but India also displayed variety in their penalty corner routines. Interestingly, the team’s first four goals came from open play, highlighting the midfield and forwards’ ability to repeatedly cut through Thailand’s defence instead of relying solely on set pieces. Their first penalty corner arrived only minutes before half time, and Udita converted the second opportunity just before the break.

 

In the third quarter, India began experimenting. Neha took one strike that rattled the post, while Udita’s attempts were either blocked or went wide. Later, Udita’s low slap was cleverly deflected into the goal by Beauty Dungdung, showcasing a move that is extremely hard to defend in women’s hockey. Early in the fourth quarter, Suman Devi Thoudam was given a chance on the set piece, with Mumtaz Khan applying the final touch. Soon after, Udita tried another variation by shifting the ball to her right before finishing past the goalkeeper.

 

India’s creativity peaked with their eleventh penalty corner. Instead of the usual direct attempt, the ball was moved across the circle through several passes before reaching Sharmila Devi, who slotted it in at the far post to make the score 10–0.

 

There were plenty of positives beyond set pieces as well. Beauty Dungdung scored a hat trick, Mumtaz Khan added two goals with her trademark determination, Sangita Kumari marked her return with an early strike, and Navneet Kaur impressed with her flair in open play.