- India secures 4-2 win against Korea in Women’s Asia Cup Super 4s
- Goals from Vaishnavi, Sangita, Lalremsiami and Rutuja secure victory
- Bichu Devi impresses in goal as India maintains unbeaten run
The Indian women's hockey team made a dominant run to defeat Korea 4-2 in their opening match of Super 4 at the Women's Asia Cup in Hangzhou on Wednesday. With this victory, India kept its unbeaten sequence alive, having already led their pool with seven points.
India's goals came from Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (2nd minutes), Kumari Sangita (33rd), Lalremsiami (40th) and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (59th). Yujin Kim, from Korea, scored their goals in the 33rd and 53rd minutes.
With the regular skipper Savita Punia absent, Bichu Devi Kharibam once again became high as India’s first- choice goalkeeper. She played the full game, showing her confidence with crucial defenses, especially during Korea’s penalty corner opportunities.
India started hard when Vaishnavi converted a rebound after Udita's penalty corner strike was blocked. Despite losing another chance of a penalty shootout, India continued to move forward. Sangita doubled the lead early in the third quarter, but Korea’s Kim reduced the gap soon after. Lalremsiami restored India’s two-goal cushion with a composed strike before Kim attacked again for Korea. In the final minutes, Rutuja sealed the victory with intelligent recovery, ensuring that India will increase in its next confrontation against the hosts of China on Thursday.
This victory not only highlights the power of Indian women in sports, but also reflects their growing rule in Asian hockey. Fans expect the team to continue their winning form and bring home the title of the Women's Asia Cup.
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