Asian Games Hockey: Deepika nine-goal show powers India to 20-1 win over Thailand

Image credit: Hockey India NEW DELHI: Deepika produced a stunning nine-goal display as India continued their dominant run in women’s hockey at the 2026 Asian Games, beating Thailand 20-1 in their Group B match at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium on Wednesday.The forward and drag-flick specialist converted all nine of her goals from penalty corners as India recorded their third straight win in the competition.The victory kept the team coached by Sjoerd Marijn at the top of the B table.

Deepika’s nine-goal show

Deepika was the star of the match as she scored nine times in a remarkable individual performance.All nine goals came from penalty corners, with Deepika repeatedly finding a way through Thailand’s defense as India dominated the match.Navneet Kaur added four wickets while Rutuja Pisal completed her hat-trick.Neha, Lalremsiami, Sakshi Rana and captain Salima Tete also found the net as India maintained the pressure throughout the match.

Thailand found a late goal

Thailand managed to avoid a clean sheet until the end of the fourth quarter.Supansa Samanso scored Thailand’s only goal with a header from a penalty corner. Her effort took a slight deflection before finding its way into the Indian goal.It was the only time Thailand managed to beat the Indian defence.

India continue to target

India started their campaign with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan and then followed it up with a 17-1 win over Indonesia.Deepika also scored a hat-trick against Indonesia while Rutuja and Navneet scored three goals each in that match.After two goals, Sunelita Toppo, Lalremsiami and Sakshi scored, Ishika and Salim also found the target.India took some time to match Indonesia but Deepika broke the deadlock in the eighth minute after India won four penalty corners in quick succession.Against Thailand, Deepika showed again why she is such an important part of India’s penalty corner attack.

Japan follows ahead of India

India will face Japan on Friday as they look to strengthen their position ahead of the knockout stages.The Indian team is looking to improve on its bronze finish at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Games.They are also chasing the first Asian Games gold in women’s hockey since 1982 when India won the inaugural women’s hockey title at the Games on home soil.With three straight wins and 56 wickets in their opening matches, India have started their Group B campaign very well.And after Deepika’s nine-goal performance against Thailand, India’s attacking threat looks even stronger heading into the next phase of the competition.