Asian Games 2026: Deepika scores record 9 goals as Indian thrash Thailand 20-1

[[{“value”:”

Deepika Sehrawat put on a classic, scoring a record-breaking nine goals in a single match as India thrashed Thailand 20-1 to record their third straight victory in Pool B of the Asian Games women’s hockey.

Deepika (2nd, 8th, 9th, 24th, 33rd, 36th, 39th, 51st, and 57th minutes) proved unstoppable from set pieces, converting every single one of her nine penalty corner opportunities to set a new national record. Navneet Kaur (4th, 29th, 35th, and 51st) also dominated the opposition defence, scoring four times in a rout.

Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (10th, 11th, and 47th) bagged a hat-trick, while Neha Goyal (19th), Lalremsiami (26th), Sakshi Rana (29th), and captain Salima Tete (45th) each added goals to complete the scoreboard. Thailand managed a lone consolation goal through a penalty corner routine converted by Supansa Samanso (57th).

Deepika, who had already scored 11 tournament goals before the match, broke the deadlock early before Navneet doubled the advantage. Deepika’s drag-flicks consistently found the back of the net with surgical precision.

Rutuja capitalised on her good positioning to turn in deflections, while Lalremsiami and Navneet scored field goals alongside a 29th-minute penalty stroke to give India an 11-0 halftime lead. Sakshi and skipper Salima added further goals in the second half to wrap up a dominant win.

Sitting top of the Pool B table with three wins from three outings, India next face hosts Japan on Friday, with the pool toppers advancing directly to the semi-finals.

Indian stars dominate at the Asian Games

Elsewhere on Wednesday, two-time Olympic medalist Manu Bhaker led India’s performance by qualifying for the women’s 10m air pistol individual final. Teammates Suruchi Inder Singh and Esha Singh fell short during qualification and missed the cut for the final round.

India’s canoe sprint squad also generated positive results. The men’s kayak four 500m team, Harshwardhan Shaktawat, Varinder Singh, L Naocha Singh Oinam, and Arun Singh, advanced to Final A with a third-place finish in Heat 1 (1:29.447). 

Earlier, Indian wushu star Naorem Roshibina Devi assured herself of a third successive Asian Games medal after storming into the women’s Sanda 60kg semifinals with a 5-0 victory over Macao, China’s Chu Man Sin. Lakshya Sen and the men’s team also confirmed a medal in badminton.

(With inputs from PTI)

“}]]