Asian Games 2026: India women’s hockey team completes crushing win over Uzbekistan

File photo: Deepika found the net eight times for India against Uzbekistan. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

The Indian women’s hockey team began its Asian Games 2026 campaign by thrashing Uzbekistan 19-0 at the Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium in Kakamigahara on Sunday, September 20.

In the two sides’ first ever meeting, India came close to recording its biggest margin of victory at the Asiad as Deepika Kumari (eight goals), Lalremsiami, Ishika (three goals), Baljeet Kaur, Neha, Navneet Kaur (two), Lalthantluangi (two) and Sakshi Rana all found the net.

Lalremsiami opened the scoring for Sjoerd Marijne’s team in the sixth minute, bundling the ball in from close range after Navneet’s shot was saved by goalkeeper Rushana Chorieva.

India battered the Uzbek defence in a fairly open first two quarters with a wave of attacks, and five different players got onto the scoresheet as India sped to a 5-0 lead within 18 minutes.

Deepika’s dragflicks then took over as the 22-year-old struck home six Penalty Corners (PC), with four coming in the third quarter.

Uzbekistan could not create anything going forward, and its only shot came late in the second quarter when Savita was forced to block a tight-angle shot from Shahzoda Zaripova.

India added three more in the final quarter despite curbing their attacking instincts to complete the rout.

India will face Indonesia at the same venue tomorrow in its next match.

Published on Sep 20, 2026

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