Young striker Sangita Kumari scored a brace as defending champions India defeated Malaysia 4-0 to open their campaign on a confident note at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Monday.Sangita (8th, 55th minutes) struck twice, while Preeti Dubey (43rd) and Udita (44th) were the other goal scorers for the hosts. India will next face South Korea on Tuesday.In other matches of the day, Japan and Korea played to a 2-2 draw, while Olympic silver medallist China thrashed Thailand 15-0.India dominated the first quarter, though Malaysia had an early chance with a penalty corner in the fifth minute, which they failed to convert. From then on, India applied relentless pressure, earning two penalty corners in quick succession. Sangita opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a variation off the second penalty corner attempt.Preeti came close to doubling the lead twice; her first attempt was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper, and her second hit the side post. India missed another penalty corner opportunity right before the end of the first quarter.India maintained control in the second quarter with persistent attacks but struggled to finish, failing to convert four penalty corners and going into halftime with a narrow one-goal lead.The hosts kept up the pressure in the third quarter and secured another penalty corner shortly after the restart, though the Malaysian goalkeeper held firm. Minutes later, Malaysia earned their second penalty corner but couldn't break the Indian defense.In the 43rd minute, Preeti doubled India’s lead by deflecting in Navneet Kaur’s flick off a set piece. Just a minute later, Udita extended the lead with a slap shot from another penalty corner.India earned another penalty corner in the 50th minute, but this time Udita’s shot was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.
Young striker Sangita Kumari scored a brace as defending champions India defeated Malaysia 4-0 to open their campaign on a confident note at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy hockey tournament on Monday.Sangita (8th, 55th minutes) struck twice, while Preeti Dubey (43rd) and Udita (44th) were the other goal scorers for the hosts. India will next face South Korea on Tuesday.In other matches of the day, Japan and Korea played to a 2-2 draw, while Olympic silver medallist China thrashed Thailand 15-0.India dominated the first quarter, though Malaysia had an early chance with a penalty corner in the fifth minute, which they failed to convert. From then on, India applied relentless pressure, earning two penalty corners in quick succession. Sangita opened the scoring in the eighth minute with a variation off the second penalty corner attempt.Preeti came close to doubling the lead twice; her first attempt was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper, and her second hit the side post. India missed another penalty corner opportunity right before the end of the first quarter.India maintained control in the second quarter with persistent attacks but struggled to finish, failing to convert four penalty corners and going into halftime with a narrow one-goal lead.The hosts kept up the pressure in the third quarter and secured another penalty corner shortly after the restart, though the Malaysian goalkeeper held firm. Minutes later, Malaysia earned their second penalty corner but couldn't break the Indian defense.In the 43rd minute, Preeti doubled India’s lead by deflecting in Navneet Kaur’s flick off a set piece. Just a minute later, Udita extended the lead with a slap shot from another penalty corner.India earned another penalty corner in the 50th minute, but this time Udita’s shot was saved by the Malaysian goalkeeper.
