Asian Games 2026: Deepika’s eight-goal blitz powers India to 19-0 hockey win over Uzbekistan

Deepika slammed as many as eight goals as the Indian women's hockey team thrashed lowly Uzbekistan 19-0 in their opening Pool B match at the Asian Games , on Sunday (September 20, 2026). It was expected to be a one-sided affair and it turned out exactly that way as Uzbekistan defence had no answer to India's relentless attacks. The gulf between the two sides was quite evidently visible on the turf as it was raining goals for India from the start. India, who are the second-highest-ranked side in the competition, toyed with the Uzbek defence to pump in as many as eight goals in the first half. Ishika then found the net with a brilliant first-time finish from the left of the circle after being played in by Sunelita Toppo.

Deepika then scored her second with a powerful dragflick to the bottom right corner from a penalty corner to make the scoreline 6-0. Navneet too joined the scoresheet with a field goal before Deeepika converted another penalty corner to hand India a comfortable 8-0 lead in the first half. Veteran India goalkeeper Savita Punia made her 320th international cap, joining Vandana Katariya as the joint most capped Indian woman hockey player. Comments have to be in English, and in full sentences. They cannot be abusive or personal.

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