New Delhi, Feb 18:
Jaspreet Kaur and Rani Rampal scored a hat-trick each to help Indian eves thrash minnows Kazakhstan 8-0 in their opening match of the Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here today.
As expected, the 33rd-ranked Kazakh girls were no match for the 11th placed hosts, who controlled from game from start to finish and earned as many as 15 penalty corners as against none by their rivals.
India’s defence was hardly troubled by the Kazakhs as they were constantly busy in thwarting the home team’s forays into their attacking third.
The Indian eves scored four goals apiece in each half to make short work of their unfancied rivals.
Drag-flicker Jaspreet (8th minute, 21st, 54th, 70th) was star performer for India, scoring four goals alone including a hat-trick. She scored her first three goals from penalty corners while the fourth one came from a penalty stroke in the final minute of the game.
Rampal (15th minute, 26th, 41st,) was not to be left behind as the young striker also scored a hat-trick to help India’s cause.
Soundarya Yendala also registered her name in the scoresheet, pouncing on a rebound in the 48th minute from one of the 15 short corners they earned in the match.
The Indian eves will take on Malaysia tomorrow in their second round-robin game of the women’s competition in HWL.(PTI)