As big-time hockey returns to Ranchi, India provide the fireworks with 7-1 win over Thailand | Hockey News

Local favourites Sangita Kumari and Salima Tete made it a memorable night for the Ranchi crowd that turned up in numbers as India started the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy campaign with a convincing 7-1 win against Thailand on Friday.Sangita (29′, 45′, 45′) scored a hat-trick while Monika (7′), Salima (15′), Deepika (40′) and Lalremsiami (52′) also got on the scoresheet for India.
The stadium was nearly full as the national anthems played out followed a long display of fireworks that even held up the pushback a minute or so.

Ek dhamakedaar shuruwat Jharkhand Women’s Asian Champions Trophy Ranchi 2023 ka 💥#HockeyIndia #IndiaKaGame #JWACT2023 pic.twitter.com/1VUmW4FmQi
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 27, 2023
Once the fireworks subsided, India began with right earnest on the pitch. Navneet Kaur and Monika were involved in plenty of forward play in the first quarter. The opening goal came from Sangita Kumari’s attempt on goal that was saved only for Monika to score with the goalkeeper out of position.
The turf, described as bouncy in parts a couple of teams, resulted in the first Penalty Corner being mrapped. India’s second PC also bounced a bit but Navneet did well to get a hit away. And then there was Salima waiting at the goal-mouth for a rebound for a simple finish that sent the stadium into raptures.
Thailand had some joy in the second quarter. India conceded a couple of PCs and the second one resulted in a goal for Supansa Samanso. Savita wasn’t happy with the decision but there was no evidence to overturn the goal.
India immediately went back on the attack. Salima nearly added a second but couldn’t divert the ball into an empty net while stretching fully. Thailand now started to sit back in their own circle and the crowd responded with chants of ‘India, India’ to get the team going. Neha, who combines often well with Navneet, fed a through ball to the latter but her attempt to lift the ball was smothered goalkeeper Siraya Yimkrajang.
India eventually restored their two-goal lead and once again Navneet was involved in the setup. A shot on goal rebounded this time to Sangita Kumari, who lifted the ball into the net smartly as a second Jharkhand player got on the scoresheet for the night much to the capacity crowd’s delight.
Speaking to the broadcasters at halftime, Schopman said she wasn’t fully satisfied with the start. “Nerves, perhaps,” the former Dutch star explained after the match. “After 2-0, instead of stepping up and we took a step back. That frustrated me and that’s why I told them to pass better, blue to blue.”
And the second half instantly saw more purpose in India’s passing, as they controlled possession much better and moved the ball with speed. The likes of Neha and Salima started to exert more influence on the play. The lead was then extended Deepika as she touched a looping ball downward from close range.
That goal opened the floodgates, as the end of the third quarter saw Sangita complete her hat-trick with two goals in one minute. First, Salima won the ball in midfield and fed Lalremsiami who in turn found Sangita for the finish. The next goal was all Sangita as she won the ball high up, and scored.Most Read
1
Qatar hands death penalty to 8 former Indian Navy men, Govt explores legal options

2
Leo box office collection Day 8: Vijay-starrer aims to beat Jailer’s Rs 600 crore record, still has a long road ahead

See More

Sangita played her first tournament in Ranchi when she was in the U-14 team, she then played at the Sub Junior level here as well. However, this was her first time competing in such a major international event in Ranchi, and she made it a memorable home debut.
“Really happy for her, this is the Sangita I know. When she plays to her strengths, she is very good in creating pressure and an amazing goalscorer. And you see that, she even creates her own goals,” Schopman said.

Earlier, defending champion Japan defeated Malaysia in the tournament opener 3-0. In the second match, Asian Games gold medalls China (with a few changes to their squad) lost 0-1 against Korea in a replay of the final in Hangzhou.
India play Malaysia next on Saturday.