The Indian women’s hockey team stormed into the Super 4s of the Women’s Hockey Asia Cup 2025 with a ruthless 12–0 victory over Singapore in their final Pool B match at the Gongshu Canal Sports Park Stadium in Hangzhou.
Goals came in waves, with Navneet Kaur’s hat-trick, Mumtaz Khan’s treble, and a brace from Neha Goyal leading the charge in a performance that underlined India’s intent to reclaim the continental crown. With this emphatic win, India topped Pool B with seven points from three matches, ahead of defending champions Japan, and booked their place in the next stage of the competition.
India needed only two minutes to stamp their authority. Mumtaz Khan, finding acres of space at the top of the circle, struck cleanly to open the scoring. From that moment, the tone was set India’s pace, passing, and relentless pressing left Singapore scrambling. The goals began to flow in the 13th minute when Neha Goyal doubled the lead before Lalremsiami added another in quick succession. Barely a minute later, Navneet Kaur joined the party, scoring from a short corner in the 14th minute.
By the 20th minute, Navneet had her second of the match, this time from open play, and Singapore looked overwhelmed. When she completed her hat-trick in the 28th minute, tapping in after a neat build-up, India were already 6–0 up. The contest, for all practical purposes, was over before halftime.
Second-Half Onslaught
If there were any doubts about India easing off after the interval, they were dispelled almost immediately. Just as she did in the first half, Mumtaz Khan struck early, netting her second goal in the 32nd minute. The floodgates stayed open. Mumtaz completed her hat-trick in the 39th minute, showcasing her poacher’s instincts by slotting home from close range. In the same minute, Neha Goyal found her second of the day, making it 9–0. India’s dominance was total Singapore struggled to string passes together, let alone venture into the opposition half. The relentless attacks were a testament to India’s pressing structure and clinical finishing.
The scoreboard ticked into double digits as India added two more before the final whistle, with Rutuja Pisal sealing the 12–0 scoreline in the 53rd minute.
Standout Performances
Several Indian players stood out in the demolition.
- Navneet Kaur’s hat-trick (14’, 20’, 28’) was the highlight of a commanding display where she constantly troubled the Singapore defence with her movement and finishing.
- Mumtaz Khan’s treble (2’, 32’, 39’) reinforced her reputation as one of India’s brightest young forwards, scoring at crucial junctures of both halves.
- Neha Goyal (13’, 39’) provided a solid presence in midfield and sharpness in front of goal.
- Lalremsiami (13’) and Rutuja Pisal (53’) added their names to the scoresheet, rounding out a balanced attacking performance.
Credit also goes to India’s backline and goalkeeper, who maintained focus to register a clean sheet despite long periods of inactivity.
India’s Pool B campaign highlighted both their attacking might and competitive grit. They opened with an 11–0 thrashing of Thailand, a match that set the tone for their tournament. Their second outing against defending champions Japan ended 2–2, a hard-fought encounter that underlined the gap between the region’s top teams. The resounding win against Singapore ensured India topped the pool with a superior goal difference and advanced alongside Japan to the Super 4s stage, where the competition intensifies.
The Women’s Asia Cup 2025 carries high stakes, with the winner earning direct qualification to the 2026 FIH Women’s Hockey World Cup. For India, who last won the continental crown in 2017, this tournament is a chance to reclaim lost glory and establish themselves as Asia’s top team ahead of the next Olympic cycle. Japan, the defending champions from 2022, remain formidable rivals, but India’s current form suggests they are ready to challenge for the title. Their blend of experienced internationals and exciting young talent has given them depth across the field.
As India move into the Super 4s, sterner tests await. They will likely face Korea and China teams with strong tactical structures and home advantage in China’s case. To progress to the final, India must replicate their attacking sharpness while staying compact at the back, particularly against opponents with more clinical finishing than Singapore. Head coach and players have emphasized the importance of staying grounded despite the big wins. The draw against Japan showed that India still need to fine-tune their conversion in tight matches, where opportunities are fewer.
India’s 12–0 rout of Singapore was more than just a routine pool-stage win it was a statement of intent. With Mumtaz Khan and Navneet Kaur leading the goal rush, and the entire squad showing discipline and hunger, the Blue Tigresses have sent a strong message to their rivals.
From topping Pool B to marching into the Super 4s with momentum, India have positioned themselves as serious contenders to lift the Asia Cup once again. The journey is far from over, but if this performance is any indication, India’s women are ready to roar.
