Asian Games: Goals galore as India off to flying start in hockey with resounding wins
It was goals galore as the Indian teams started the hockey campaign at the Asian Games 2026 with resounding wins. The Indian women started the day with a 19-0 win over Uzbekistan while the men's side beat Indonesia 13-1.
Both teams were able to depend on scoring goals during the contest as Deepika was the star of the show with an eight-goal haul. Dilpreet Singh got four goals for the men's team as they put in a commanding performance to lay down the marker early on.
There was a lot to love about the Indian team and the result also addressed one of India's concerns from their disappointing World Cup campaign last month. While finding the net from open play had proved difficult during the tournament, India showed a different attacking threat in their Asian Games opener, with 10 of their 13 goals coming from field play.
Indonesia managed to frustrate India for much of the opening quarter and stayed organised at the back. India's first two goals came after rebounds inside the circle, with Shilanand opening the scoring before Abhishek doubled the advantage.
The game opened up dramatically in the second quarter. Craig Fulton's side shifted through the gears and scored four times in a three-minute burst before captain Harmanpreet added another from a drag flick with two minutes remaining in the quarter.
Indonesia did find a rare moment to celebrate in the third quarter. Sumit failed to control an aerial pass in the 33rd minute, conceding a penalty corner, and Aulia Al Ardh converted it to give his side their first-ever goal against India.
It was Indonesia's first goal against India in three meetings, having previously conceded a combined 40 goals without scoring.
India will now turn their attention to Sri Lanka, with their next Pool B match scheduled for Tuesday.DEEPIKA LEADS INDIA'S UZBEKISTAN ROUT
It seemed like Deepika had got her lucky hockey stick in her hands as she found the net in the 8th, 22nd, 26th, 33rd, 37th, 38th, 41st and 54th minutes. Her haul included six successful penalty-corner conversions.
Ishika Chaudhary added three goals to complete her hat-trick, while Lalremsiami, Baljeet Kaur, Neha, Navneet Kaur, Lalthantluangi and Sakshi Rana also got on the scoresheet.
India needed only six minutes to break the deadlock. After Uzbekistan survived a series of early attacks, Lalremsiami eventually squeezed the ball home to put the Indian side ahead.
Deepika doubled the lead soon after, finishing from close range for her 40th international goal. Sunelita Toppo then created the opening for Ishika, who made no mistake, before Baljeet Kaur marked her 50th appearance for India by adding another goal before the first quarter ended.
There was little for Savita Punia to do in the Indian goal as Uzbekistan struggled to threaten. The veteran goalkeeper was making her 320th international appearance, taking her level with Vandana Katariya as the most-capped player in Indian women's hockey.
India continued to pile on the pressure in the second quarter, adding four more goals to take an 8-0 advantage into the interval, with Deepika completing her hat-trick during the period.
The third quarter turned into another Indian goal fest. India scored eight times to stretch the advantage to 16-0, with Deepika responsible for four of those goals.
Uzbekistan managed little respite in the final quarter, while India added three more goals to complete a record-breaking opening victory. The numbers underlined India's dominance, with the team recording 66 circle penetrations and 62 per cent possession.
India will next face Indonesia in Pool B on Monday.- EndsPublished By: alan johnPublished On: Sep 20, 2026 13:50 IST
