The Indian hockey team began their Women’s Asia Cup 2025 campaign with a 11-0 win over Thailand at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Hockey Field in Hangzhou, the People’s Republic of China, on Friday.
Mumtaz Khan (7′, 49′), Udita (30′, 52′) and Beauty Dung Dung (45′, 54′) scored two goals apiece for India. Sangita Kumari (10′), Navneet Kaur (16′), Lalremsiami (18′), Sharmila Devi (57′) and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (60′) were also on the scoresheet.
India, ninth in the women’s hockey rankings, asserted their dominance early on against world No. 30 Thailand with field goals from Mumtaz Khan and Sangita Kumari in the first quarter.
The second quarter saw India further increase their attacking intensity with three more goals to extend their advantage.
Experienced forward Navneet Kaur and midfielder Lalremsiami scored back-to-back field goals, followed by a penalty corner conversion from Udita to end the first half on a strong note with a 5-0 lead.
The second half followed a similar trend with India’s constant attacks inside Thailand’s circle as they won four penalty corners in the third quarter. Beauty Dung Dung scored her first goal in the 45th minute.
The final quarter of the match saw India score five goals to seal a big win. Mumtaz Khan, Udita and Sharmila Devi scored through penalty corners while Beauty Dung Dung and Rutuja Dadaso Pisal netted field goals for their side.
India, who won the Women’s Asia Cup in 2004 and 2017, are drawn in Pool B with defending champions and three-time winners Japan, Thailand and Singapore. India will face Japan next on Saturday.
This year’s Women’s Asia Cup hockey also doubles up as a qualifier for the 2026 Hockey World Cup, scheduled to be co-hosted by Belgium and the Netherlands.
While the champions will book a direct berth, teams finishing second to fifth will head to the Women’s World Cup Qualifiers to be played early next year.