This was all the time going to be the match the place the floodgates opened for India because the Salima Tete-led aspect was taking part in Thailand, the lowest-ranked group on the Ladies’s Asian Champions Trophy in Rajgir. India had by no means misplaced to Thailand and the latter had already been handed a 15-0 thrashing by a second-string Chinese language aspect earlier this week.
Therefore, there have been few surprises as Deepika led the way in which with 5 targets, whereas three gamers scored twice every as India produced a relentless efficiency to win 13-0 on Thursday.
With the apparent caveat that India had their best match on paper, it was nonetheless an attacking show that happy head coach Harendra Singh. He has been stressing on just a few points over the previous couple of weeks – first contact contained in the circle, creating 1v1 conditions throughout the sector, and penalty nook conversion – they usually clicked into place.
She got here, She noticed, She conquered#BiharWACTRajgir2024 #IndiaKaGame #HockeyIndia #WomensAsianChampionsTrophy #THAvIND
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@Limca_Official@CocaCola@asia_hockey@BSSABihar pic.twitter.com/neE2MsvaCB— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 14, 2024
“I particularly preferred the connection between the defenders and attacking midfielders,” Harendra stated after the match. “More often than not, we tried to create the 1v1 conditions, that’s our superiority and I really feel that’s the essence of Indian hockey. When you could have so many quick midfielders – Salima (Tete), Sharmila (Devi), Sunelita (Toppo), Lalremsiami – we should always not maintain that power again.”
Deepika began the scoring within the third minute when she expertly managed a drilled lengthy cross into the circle by Jyoti from the fitting flank, took a few touches along with her again to the objective, made area, and rifled a backhanded strike by way of Thailand goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang.
Preeti Dubey, on her return to the nationwide aspect after final taking part in in 2017, swept house India’s second after a pointy mixture of passes between Sunelita and Sangita. Then it was Siami’s flip to raise one from shut vary off a rebound as India scored three within the opening quarter to set the tempo. Deepika made it 4-0 early in Q2 with a nice back-to-the-goal strike. India’s first 4 strikes had been all subject targets.
One of many areas of concern has been penalty nook conversion, and after squandering the primary three, India managed to transform the fourth on the stroke of half time. It wasn’t the clearest of direct makes an attempt however Siami’s strike led to a goalmouth scramble from which Magnificence Dungdung lifted one over Siraya.
Second-half flurry
After a 10-minute lull at first of the second half, the flurry restarted. Preeti scored arguably one of the best subject objective of the day, as she obtained a superb by way of ball from Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, and managed it in her stride to beat the onrushing goalkeeper, calmly passing the ball into an empty internet. It was the kind of speedy give-and-go transfer that Harendra has been asking for.
If that was the perfect passing transfer, India’s subsequent objective was an ideal penalty nook execution. Deepika had been pissed off from set-pieces to this point on this event, however lastly nailed a direct effort on objective, excessive to the custodian’s proper. It introduced out the most important smile on Harendra’s face on the sidelines. Deepika’s fourth and fifth targets got here inside a matter of minutes, and the latter was one other well-executed drag-flick, this time low to the goalkeeper’s proper.
“The coach has targeted loads on my footwork throughout drag- flicks. I nonetheless should get higher at it, and ending as nicely. However ever since Harendra sir has come, he has achieved further classes with me on drag-flicks and it’s helped with the power of the photographs,” the 20-year-old from Haryana stated later.
💥 A dominant efficiency by Bharat Ki Sherniyan 💥
Workforce India delivers a press release win with a sensational 13-0 victory over Thailand on the Bihar Ladies’s Asian Champions Trophy Rajgir 2024.
Watch the highlights as our fierce warriors placed on an unforgettable present, thrilling… pic.twitter.com/4hN53SzKAG
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) November 14, 2024
Harendra had instructed this each day earlier than the event that Deepika has adjusted her method but in addition talked about he hoped Manisha Chauhan too comes good from set-pieces. That occurred within the ultimate quarter as she scored her first senior worldwide objective along with her first drag-flick within the event. She would make it two shortly with a close-range end. In between these targets, Navneet Kaur added her identify to the scoresheet as nicely whereas Siami scored India’s twelfth.
One of many points Harendra highlighted on the finish was how the group wished to make Siami’s night time particular.
“On her one hundred and fiftieth look, Siami scored a few targets, and the group is pleased with that. These are the issues that assist a group bond: one thing to have a good time. We determined we might get Siami on the scoresheet immediately and we had been in a position to execute that on an important day,” he stated.
With the win, India stay degree with China on 9 factors, however the latter is prime of the desk on objective distinction given their higher profitable margins to this point. It has arrange an enchanting conflict between the table-toppers on Saturday. India will take some confidence into that match after producing their most coordinated attacking show to this point in Bihar.
