Women’s Hockey Asia Cup | India beat Kazakhstan 7-1 to enter semifinals

11/02/2017

India’s domineering run in the Asia Cup continued on Wednesday as they ran a riot against Kazakhstan to progress into the semi-finals, riding on a marvellous hattrick by drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur. The eves will face the winner of the quarter-final match between Japan and Malaysia in the semis.

India came into the quarterfinal brimming with confidence after convincing wins in the group stages against China and Malaysia but were given a reality check when Kazakhstan took the lead in just the second minute of the game through Vera Domashneva. However, India kept faith in their quality and a rhythmic play brought them an equalizer a couple of minutes later through Gurjit, who converted a penalty corner. There was no looking back from then on as the Indians were ruthless in the second quarter, scoring three goals.

It was Deep Grace Ekka, who helped her side take the lead as India were on target from a penalty corner again. As the first-half drew to a close, Navneet Kaur gave India a three-goal lead through two quick strikes in the space of five minutes.

Kazakhstan had crumbled by then waiting for the inevitable outcome. India brought on their fifth and sixth goals from penalty corners with Ekka and Gurjit pocketing their braces. She brought on her hat-trick with a calm strike from open play and ending the game at 7-1.

Harendra Singh’s side will play the winner of the quarter-final match game between Japan vs Malaysia in the last four. Japan have been brilliant in the tournament so far and will expect to go all the way in defending the title.

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