The Indian Women’s Hockey Team extended their unbeaten run at the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy 2023. The Savita Punia-led side ended the pool stage on a high by securing a commanding 5-0 win against Korea on Thursday. With the win, the Women in Blue claimed the top spot in the points table, amassing 15 points from five matches.
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In the match, Salima Tete scored a brace, while Navneet Kaur (36’), Vandana Katariya (49’), and Neha (60’) netted one goal each for India.
India began the game with an aggressive high-pressing strategy and relentless attacking. In the opening moments itself, Salima Tete, who was left unmarked within the circle, beautifully slotted a goal, granting the hosts an early advantage. Taking the lead, the hosts had several opportunities to add to the scoresheet in the first quarter, however they failed to capitalise as the opening quarter concluded.
In the second quarter too, India dominated the proceedings. However they were unable to score any goals to double their lead. They headed into halftime with a 1-0 advantage.
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Korea launched an aggressive offensive assault in the third quarter and even came close to scoring twice. India swiftly turned the tables and won a penalty corner that Navneet Kaur managed to covert giving India 2-0 lead. Soon, Salima Tete scoring her brace with a brilliant field goal, elevating India’s lead to 3-0.
In the last quarter, India continued with the attack. Vandana Katariya managed to find the net in the 49th minute, taking the lead to 4-0. Adding to the emphatic victory, Neha (60′) secured a field goal in the closing moments of the match, sealing a resounding 5-0 triumph for the Indian team.
Having qualified for the semifinal, India will once again take on Korea in the second Semi-Final of the tournament on 4th November.
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