Historic 19‑0 Victory Highlights India’s Quest for Gold at 2026 Asian Games

The Indian women’s hockey team announced its intent for the 2026 Asian Games with a flawless 19‑0 drubbing of Uzbekistan at Gifu Prefectural Green Stadium. The resounding win, recorded in the first group‑B encounter, placed India firmly in contention for the tournament’s top prize.

Deepika stole the spotlight, scoring eight of the nineteen goals. Her teammates supported the onslaught: Ishika added three, Lalthantluangi and Neha each contributed two, and Baljeet Kaur, Navneet Kaur, Lalmemsiyami, and Sakshi Rana each logged a single goal.

The first half concluded with an 8‑0 lead, and Deepika’s subsequent four‑goal burst in the second period expanded the advantage to 13‑0. The squad never relented, completing the clean‑sheet triumph.

The match also saw veteran Savita Puniya reach her 320th international appearance, equalling Vandana Kataria for the most caps earned by an Indian female hockey player. For Baljeet, the day marked a personal milestone of fifty international caps.

Guided by captain Salima Tete, who is eager to upgrade the 2023 bronze, India’s next challenge arrives on Monday against Indonesia, a game that also influences qualification pathways for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.