India's Women's Hockey team displayed commendable resilience in the Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier, securing a nail-biting 5-4 victory against Thailand. This triumph on Sunday is the latest in their unbeaten streak, showcasing their formidable form and dominance in the tournament.
The Indian team's skipper, Navjot Kaur, initiated the scoring spree just within the first minute. This was soon followed by Monika Dipi Toppo's double goals (1st and 7th minutes), Mahima Choudhary's 20th-minute contribution, and finally, Ajmina Kujur's game-winning goal in the 30th minute. Thailand's formidable efforts came via goals from Piresram Anongnat, Aunjai Natthakarn, and Suwapat Konthong.
A recap of the tournament reveals India's exceptional performance, where they crushed Japan 7-1 in their preceding match on Saturday night. Their opening game against Malaysia was equally spectacular, ending in a 7-2 victory in favor of India.
Sunday's match began with India showcasing their aggressive intent, launching relentless attacks on Thailand's defense from the onset. The game's momentum oscillated between the two sides. Thailand's captain, Anongnat, and their key player, Natthakarn, consistently threatened the Indian goal, managing to even the score at one point.
While India maintained a majority of the ball possession in the second half, it was Thailand's Konthong who momentarily tilted the balance by scoring four minutes post the halftime mark. India's response was swift, with Mahima Choudhary equalizing through a brilliantly executed challenge goal.
As the match approached its climax, India's urgency to reclaim the lead became palpable. Despite numerous close calls and near misses, including a missed opportunity from Monika, it was Kujur who became the hero for India by sealing the win in the dying moments of the game. India's continued success in the Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier underscores their potential and heralds promising prospects for their future games.
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