JOIN USIndian women warmed up for the challenges ahead with a comprehensive 8-0 victory over Kazakhstan in their opening match of the World Hockey League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Monday.
In a lopsided affair, India, ranked 12 and playing in front of empty stands, scored through Jaspreet Kaur (8th, 21st, 54th, 70th), Rani Rampal (15th, 26th, 41st) and Soundarya Yendala (48th).
India, clearly the stronger of the two teams, were quick to get off the blocks, their 14 penalty corners speaking of their attacking play.
Jaspreet opened the scoring in the eighth minute through a penalty corner before Rani doubled the lead seven minutes. Anupa Barla broke through the midfield to send a pass to Rani, who sounded the board with a reverse flick from the top of the circle.
Jaspreet stretched the lead when she converted India’s third penalty corner and Rani rounded off a satisfying first half when she lunged to score off a rebound following India’s sixth penalty corner. The home side led 4-0 at half-time.
They continued their goal-scoring spree in the second half with Rani coming up with a timely strike off an Anupa cross, following an indirect penalty corner in the 41st minute.
Yendala joined the party seven minutes later before Jaspreet struck again in the 54th minute. Jaspreet capped a perfect day for India when she found the back of the net in the final minute through a penalty corner conversion.
India next play Malaysia on Tuesday.
Results: India 8 (Jaspreet Kaur 8th, 21st, 54th, 70; Rani Rampal 15th, 26th, 41st; Soundarya Yendala 48th) bt Kazakhstan: 0; Japan: 14 (Shiho Sakai 9th, 34th, 61st; Rika Komazawa 12th, 14th; Akiko Kato 17th; Miyuki Nakagawa 20th; Aya Ueda 28th; Kumi Banda 32nd, 37th; Sachimi Iwao 43rd; Aki Mitsuhashi 45th; Ayaka Nishimura 66th; Yuri Nagai 68th) bt Fiji 0; Malaysia: 3 (Siti Rahmah Othman 9th; Ali Noor Hasliza MD 42nd; Silin Fazila Sylvester 64th) bt Russia 1 (Alexandra Zhashkova 58th).