Women's Asia Cup: Holders India maul Malaysia 9-0 in opener

Muscat, January 21

Holders India thrashed minnows Malaysia 9-0 to start their title defence on an emphatic note at the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament here today.

India started a bit slowly but got their grip as the match progressed. India took the lead through Vandana Katariya in the 8th minute.

Deep Grace Ekka converted a penalty corner in the 10th minute. Navneet Kaur then scored twice, in the 15th and 27th minutes, to make it 4-0. Katariya added another in the 34th minute, before Lalremsiami found the back of the net four minutes later. Two minutes later, Monika registered her name in the scoresheet.

Sharmila Devi finished it off with two goals in the 46th and 59th minutes.

India will next play Japan on Sunday. — Agencies