Hangzhou, September 4 (HS): The Indian women’s hockey team will kick off its Asia Cup 2025 campaign against Thailand on September 5, aiming for a commanding victory to set the tone for the tournament.

The two sides last met in November 2024 during the Women’s Asian Champions Trophy, where India emerged winners. Remarkably, India holds a flawless record against Thailand—seven matches, seven wins—conceding just one goal across all encounters.

On the eve of the match, Indian captain Salima Tete stressed the importance of beginning strongly. “Although Thailand are ranked much lower, we are not underestimating any team. This is our first game of the Asia Cup, and it will define the rhythm of our campaign. We want to go full throttle, create a good margin, and test our strategies ahead of our clash against Japan the next day,” she said.

India has been placed in Pool B alongside Japan, Thailand, and Singapore. The India–Thailand match is scheduled for September 5 at 12:00 pm IST. The team’s goal is to top the group to secure a berth in the Super 4 stage and move closer to clinching the title.

Head coach Harendra Singh expressed confidence in the squad’s balance of youth and experience. “We’ve had some injury concerns, but this group has the right mix. Playing Thailand will give us a chance to assess our strengths and areas to improve. The players are excited and motivated for the tournament,” he said.

India has previously won the Women’s Asia Cup twice — in 2004 and 2017. In the last edition, the team finished in third place. The 2025 campaign thus carries both confidence and the hunger for another title.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar