New Delhi, 4 October:  Vandana Katariya,  and Deepika, led the charge with a hat-trick each as India walloped Hong Kong China 13-0 in its final Pool A match, to storm into the semi-finals of the Asian Games women’s hockey tournament at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou, China on Tuesday.

Other scorers in this one-sided match were, Monika (7’), Deep Grace Ekka (11’, 42), Sangita Kumari (27’, 55’), Vaishnavi Vithal Phalke (34’), and Navneet Kaur (58’) .    

With this win, India team finished on the top of Pool A with 10 points from four matches. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals.

Before This match, India drew with the Republic of Korea 1-1 on Sunday after beating Singapore 13-0 and Malaysia 6-0 last week.

India seventh in the women’s FIH rankings, took the attack to Hong Kong China right from the opening whistle. Minutes into the match, Vandana Katariya scored to give her side the lead before Hong Kong China could regroup from the opening goal, Deepika, Monika and Deep Grace Ekka scored to make it 4-0 before the first quarter ended.

India carried the momentum in the second quarter and netted their fifth via a field goal by Vandana Katariya.

The former champions kept attacking the rival defence in waves and scored via Sangita Kumari to go 6-0 up. The Hong Kong China backline managed to avert any further damage for the remainder of the quarter.

Despite taking an unassailable lead India displayed unwavering determination in the third quarter, maintaining their dominance on the field. Vaishnavi  Phalke  (34’) and Deep Grace Ekka (42') netted a goal each from penalty corners, further solidifying their team’s  position as they led 8-0 lead at the end of the penultimate quarter.

Indians maintained their hunger for goals, and they executed their intent by scoring five times in the fourth quarter. Vandana Katariya (48’), Deepika (54’, 58'), Sangita Kumari (55’), and Navneet Kaur (58') netted the goals in the last quarter to seal a commanding 13-0 victory