Asian Games: India women beat Indonesia in hockey, men’s Kabaddi team beat Japan
The Indian women’s hockey team continued their strong start to their Asian Games campaign with another goal-laden performance to beat Indonesia 17-1 in their second Group B match on Monday. After blanking Uzbekistan 19 in their opening game, India’s attack once again proved too strong for their opponents. Deepika Sehrawat, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal and Navneet Kaur completed a hat-trick each while Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami and Sakshi Rana contributed two goals each.
Deepika who scored eight times against Uzbekistanshe added three more to her tally against Indonesia. All three of her goals came from penalty corners, coming in the 8th, 28th and 40th minutes.
ASIAN GAMES UPDATE 21 SEPTEMBER
Rutuja’s three goals came from open play as he found the net in the 15th, 20th and 38th minutes. Navneet completed her hat-trick with goals in the 35th, 56th and 57th minutes.
Sunelita struck in the 11th and 30th minutes, while Lalremsiami scored twice in the 12th and 16th minutes. Sakshi also registered a brace, scoring in the 25th and 57th minutes. Captain Salima Tete and Ishika Chaudhary added one wicket each.
Indonesia managed to get on the scoreboard through Innes Aditiya, who converted a penalty corner in the 32nd minute.
India could have opened their account as early as the fourth minute after a penalty kick was awarded, but Navneet was denied by the Indonesian goalkeeper.
The breakthrough finally came in the eighth minute when Deepika converted a penalty corner. India quickly built on their advantage, Sunelita tapping home a pass from Neha three minutes later.
Lalremsiami was then quickest to react to the rebound after Deepika’s attempt from the set-piece was saved. Rutuja made it 4-0 by finishing off another rebound before Lalremsiami and Rutuja struck again in quick succession.
Sakshi added India’s seventh point in the 27th minute after following up on a saved attempt before Deepika converted another penalty corner. Sunelita then helped Navneet to score as India went into the break with a big 9-0 lead.
Indonesia finally found an answer two minutes into the second half when Aditiya converted a penalty corner. However, India immediately regained their momentum and Salima scored from open play.
The Indian forwards continued to find gaps in the Indonesian defense and added another eight goals in the second half to complete another comprehensive victory.
India’s next Group B match will be against Thailand on Wednesday.
INDIA START DEFENSE OF KABADDI TITLE WITH WIN
Meanwhile, the Indian men’s kabaddi team also began their Asian Games title defense in convincing fashion, going past hosts Japan 49-24 in their first Group A match on Monday.
India took control of the match from the start and went into half-time with a 31-9 advantage. Ayan Lohchab and Devank Dalal led the charge in the runs department as the defending champions built up a huge cushion.
Japan couldn’t find a way back after the break, with India adding another 18 points in the second half to seal a 25-point victory.
The Indian team collected 36 points thanks to successful outs, with eight coming from all-outs and another two from super tackles.
India are in Group A alongside Japan, South Korea, Chinese Taipei and Bangladesh. Their next challenge comes against South Korea on Tuesday.
The Indian women’s kabaddi team, also defending their Asian Games title, will begin their campaign against Bangladesh later on Monday.
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Published on:
21 Sep 2026 12:57 IST