Bhubaneswar: Odisha’s hockey ace Deep Grace Ekka contributed in India’s facile 6-0 victory over Malaysia in women’s hockey competition of the Hangzhou Asian Games on Friday.
After Monika handed India the lead through a well-crafted team goal in the fifth minute of the Pool A contest, Deep Grace doubled the lead soon after with a hard drag-flick from a penalty corner. It was the experienced full-back’s second goal of the competition, having scored in India’s 13-0 wallopping of Singapore in the opener.
Navneet Kaur made it 3-0 by tapping home a rebound after Vandana Katariya’s attempt was saved by the Malaysian goalie in the 11th minute. Vaishnavi Phalke then deflected in a penalty corner attempt by Neha as India raced to a 4-0 lead in the opening quarter.
Sangeeta Kumari’s controlled reverse flick in the 24th minute made it 5-0, while Lalriamsiami turned in a Vaishnavi pass in the final quarter to complete Malaysian rout.
India will also face Korea, China and Hong Kong in the pool stage as they look to seal a semifinal spot.
The hockey women’s resounding victory came on a day when India vaulted to fourth place in the medals’ tally with a total of 32 medals — 8 gold, 11 silver and 13 bronze. As many as 18 of those medals, including 6 gold, have come from the shooting range.
Hosts China are way ahead of the rest with 173 medals including 73 gold, followed by South Korea (88 medals including 24 gold) and Japan (82 medals including 19 gold).
Fancied boxer Nikhat Zareen expectedly stormed into the semifinals of women’s 50kg category after knocking out Jordanian Hanan Nassar. Nikhat not only assured herself a medal, she also qualified for next year’s Paris Olympics.
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