Kakamigahara (Japan), 28 October 2017: It is first international match for new coach Harendra Singh in women’s domain. It went as smooth as possible. And also the way he wanted. Goals came aplenty through field efforts and through penalty corners. However, as any successful coach would he would still see shortfalls in his team but that is a different matter.

Indian defeated Singapore 16-0 in 2007 in Hong Kong and 13-0 in Bangkok. However today’s victory, though not as high as those two, was as authentic as it were.

The team led by Rani dominated against Singapore with a comfortable 10-0 win. It was goals by Navneet Kaur (3’ and 41’), Rani (15’ and 18’), Lalremsiami (18’), Deep Grace Ekka (25’), Navjot Kaur (30’ and 50’), Gurjit Kaur (41’) and Sonika (45’) that ensured India with the winning points in their opening match in Pool A.

Indian team won back-to-back PCs in the first quarter. Though the first PC was saved by Singapore goalkeeper Felissa Lai, it hardly dented India’s spirit. It was Navneet and Rani’s goals in the 3rd and 15th minute that gave India a 2-0 lead in the first quarter.

India continued their good run in the second quarter as they added four more goals to their lead via Lalremsiami, Rani, Deep Grace Ekka and Navjot to go into half-time break with an imposing 6-0 lead.

After Grace scored off a PC in the 25th minute, dragflicker Gurjit Kaur scored India’s 7th goal through a PC in the 41st minute. India stayed resolute as they continued to put pressure on Singapore defence pumping two more goals in the third quarter through Navneet Kaur and Sonika in the 41st and 45th minute respectively.

The final 15 minutes saw India win back-to-back PCs. But Singapore defence averted conceding further goals however, Navjot scored a field goal in the 50th minute to earn her team a 10-0 lead. India’s defence stayed strong through the match as they ended the match without conceding a single goal. Earlier in the day, China beat Malaysia 5-4 in a closely fought encounter.