Asian Games hockey: Indian women beat Malaysia 4-0

GUANGZHOU - The Indian women had a flawless start in the Asian Games hockey event outclassing Malaysia 4-0 in their first Group A match here Saturday.

Thokchom Chanchan Devi (26th minute), Deepika Thakur (43rd), Rani Rampal (53rd) and Surinder Kaur (67th) scored for India — all of them field goals. India next play Japan Tuesday.

India dominated right from the start and made regular inroads into the Malaysian defence. The Malaysians looked scattered and short of ideas to counter the Indian attack.

The Indian women, who had won bronze in the previous edition at Doha, impressed with their short passes as they worked their way to an effortless win.

Chanchan put India ahead early in the match and India maintained the lead to take the breather 1-0.

India opened the floodgates in the second half. Deepika accurately tapped in the ball through a well-timed cross for India’s second goal and 10 minutes later Rani made it 3-0 when she dived in front of the goalmouth to deflect the ball in.

Skipper Surinder rounded off India’s opening round campaign with an easy putaway minutes before the hooter went off.