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Asia Cup hockey for women: India thrash Kazakhstan, to face Japan in semis
India beat Kazakhstan 7-1 to qualify for the semi-finals of the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament where they will face defending champions Japan in the semi-final. China will take on South Korea in the other semi-final encounter.
Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur notched up a hat-trick as India hammered Kazakhstan 7-1 to enter the semifinals of the women’s Asia Cup hockey tournament. India will face defending Champions Japan in the semi-final on Friday.
Gurjit was in sublime form as she pumped in three goals (4th, 42nd and 56th minute), while Navneet Kaur scored twice (22nd and 27th minute).
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And Deep Grace converted two penalty corners (16th and 41st minute) to ensure India remained unbeaten in the tournament. Other than the India vs Japan semi-final clash, the other match will feature China taking on South Korea in the first semi-final.
After an early setback, when Vera Domashneva scored a field goal in the second minute to give Kazakhstan a 1-0 lead, India made amends when a tactical maneuver in the circle won them a PC in the fourth minute.
The in-form Gurjit hardly broke a sweat to fiercely strike the ball past Kazakhstan goalkeeper Guzal Bakhavaddin and equalise, Hockey India said in a release.
The Rani Rampal-led forward-line was smart in its attacks as they created penalty corners to put their opponents under pressure.
The plan worked as a PC won in the 16th minute was brilliantly converted through Deep Grace’s well-struck drag- flick that gave India a 2-1 lead.
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In the following minutes, Navneet scored back-to-back field goals to take India’s lead to a comfortable 4-1 at the end of second quarter.
Another PC awarded in the 41st minute was beautifully converted by Deep Grace that took India’s lead to a strong 5- 1.
Gurjit was splendid with her drag flick and converted her second goal through PC in the 42nd minute to ensure India were on path to a big win.
The 22-year-old Gurjit struck yet another PC in the 56th minute as she registered a hat trick of goals and end the match in India’s favour with a 7-1 win.
