BREDA , July 24: An upbeat Indian women’s team thrashed New Zealand 6-1 to secure its first win in the ongoing Volvo Invitational U-21 Hockey Tournament here today.
It was a commendable performance from captain Rani who scored a hat-trick.
Rani drew the first blood by slamming the ball past the opposition goalkeeper in the fifth minute.
Soon, Navneet Kaur scored the second goal for India with a field effort in the ninth minute.
Looking to pierce the Indian defence, New Zealand earned a penalty corner but failed to materialise it.
India kept playing an attacking game and struck the third field goal through Rani in the 30th minute.
At half time, India led 3-0.
The second half continued in the same vein as Indian women dominated proceedings. Rani brilliantly converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute for her third goal.
A field goal by Anupa Barla in the 46th minute made it 5-0.
New Zealand finally got one back when Pippa Norman scored through a penalty corner in the 53rd minute.
India’s Lily Mayengbam completed the rout by scoring in the 70th minute. (PTI)