With four goals by Deepika, the reigning champions India made a triumphant comeback on Thursday, defeating Thailand 9-0 to advance to the Women’s Junior Asia Cup semifinals and earn a spot in the 2019 Junior World Cup.
Rana Sakashi gave India the lead in the seventeenth minute.
In the early going of the match, the Indians were unable to break through the Thai defense, but once the deadlock was broken, there was no turning back.
In the 25th minute, Siwach Kanika (23′) scored another goal off a penalty corner to give India a 3-0 lead six minutes later.
In the 27th minute, Lalrinpuii put Thailand under extreme pressure with a field goal.
In the 28th minute, Deepika scored India’s fifth goal, marking her turn to enter the scorebook.
After losing 1-2 to three-time champion China on Wednesday, India pulled off an incredible comeback, leading 5-0 at halftime.
In the 31st minute, Deepika came back to score the team’s sixth goal, and in the 35th minute, she completed her hat-trick.
When Kanika scored her team’s eighth goal in the 40th minute, she found her third goal.
In the 55th minute, Deepiak scored India’s fourth goal to finish their thumping of Thailand.
India has already won both of their opening games in the five-team tournament, crushing Malaysia 5-0 and Bangladesh 13-1.
The final is set for Sunday, while the semifinals are set for Saturday.
India had won the last tournament, which was held at Kakamigahara, Japan, after defeating South Korea 2-1 in the summit match.
