Hockey World League: India eves thrash Kazakhstan 8-0
Hat-tricks from Rani Rampal and Jaspreet Kaur guided India to a convincing 8-0 win over lower ranked Kazakhstan in the women's Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Monday.
It was a complete domination by the World No.12 against Kazakhstan, who are 33rd in the FIH rankings. It was a one-sided affair with India maintaining the pressure right throughout the match.
Jaspreet opened the scoring for India in the eighth minute from a penalty corner and converted two more short-corners in the 21st and the 55th minute. She completed the scoreline for the hosts from a penalty strike at the hooter.
Young forward Rani Rampal was unstoppable as she scored field goals in the 15th, 25th and 28th minutes. Soundarya Yendala struck once in the 54th minute.
Kazakhstan looked hapless and they were left defending all throughout the game. They failed to match India's pace.
The only coordinated attack Kazakhstan had was in the 29th minute but they messed up the opportunity D as India goalkeeper Yogita Bali remained hardly tested. In all, India earned around 15 penalty corners.
Japreet, who was adjudged Player of the Match, said it was an ideal way to start the campaign.
"It was a good start. But the real test will be against Japan," said Jaspreet.
India next face Malaysia Tuesday.
India coach Neil Hawgood said though his girls dominated the match he was unhappy that the team didn't score many from field goals.
"I am not worried about the fact that we didn't score enough through field attempts because it was such a match where we could as plenty of penalty corners.a
Asked about their clash against Malaysia, Hawgood said: "MalaysiaAis a good team and in modern day hockey rankings hardly matters."
IndiaAcaptain Ritu Rani concurred with her coach.
"I am happy that the team did well but we could have scored more goals today," she added.
Earlier in the day, Japan, the highest ranked team in the tournament at World No.9, thrashed Fiji 14-0. Fiji are the lowest ranked team in the event at No.59. In another match, Malaysia beat Russia 3-1.