It rained goals as India pounded Singapore 16-0 to top Pool A in the women's Asia Cup hockey tournament in Hong Kong on Wednesday.

In a complete mismatch between two sides with a gulf in standard separating them, India captain Mamta Kharab slammed five goals, while the trio of Surinder Kaur, Jasjeet Kaur and Saba Anjum struck three each.

Rani Ritu and Deepika Thakur chipped in with one goal apiece for the winners, who led 8-0 at the breather.

The defending champions thus maintained their pole position in Pool A with a two-goal difference over China.

The stage is now set for Thursday's mouth-watering clash between India and China, which would decide the eventual pool winner.

India took the lead as early as in the seventh minute when Mamta converted from a penalty corner. The side had to wait for another 12 minutes before Mamta struck again, this time scoring from a field goal.

That unhinged Singapore and opened the floodgates as Indian forwards tore apart their defence and pumped in five more goals before the breather.

The second half followed more or less the same script with the India sounding the board almost at will.

Saba Anjum scored the first goal of the second session in the 41st minute followed by another five-goal burst that saw India leading 14-0, drawing level with China in goal difference.

Jasjeet Kaur then came up with back-to-back goals in the last three minutes to complete the tally.

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