Jasjeet Kaur led the onslaught with three goals as a ruthless India steamrolled novice Singapore 13-0 to open their Women’s Asia Cup hockey campaign in style at the Queen Sikrit Sports Centre here today.
Jasjeet struck thrice in the 39th, 53rd and 59th minutes while Saba Anjum, Mamta Kharab, Deepika Thakur, Surinder Kaur and Rani Ramphal chipped in with two goals each as India blanked their hapless opponents with consummate ease.
Earlier, top contenders Japan and Korea routed Kazakhstan and Sri Lanka 10-0 and 17-0 respectively. Malaysia also collected full points with a 3-0 win over hosts Thailand.
Winger Saba Anjum connected Jasjeet Kaur’s drag flick to open the scoring in the second minute off India’s second penalty corner and captain Surinder Kaur stretched the lead two minutes later from the next penalty corner.
Stung by the reverse, Singapore tightened their defence, giving no leeway to strikers Jasjeet, Saba Anjum and Surinder Kaur, even though they conceded 15 penalty corners in the first session alone.
The Indians, however, soon brought down the rival citadel with Rani Ramphal (19th minute) and Mamta (23rd min) sounding the board and Deepika scoring at the stroke of lemon break to give India a 5-0 cushion at breather.
Indian forwards made amends in the second half, attacking with renewed vigour and it started raining goals.