Kakamigahara (Japan): 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 here Thursday.
Gurjit was in sublime form as she pumped in three goals (fourth, 42nd and 56th minutes), while Navneet Kaur scored twice (22nd and 27th minute). Deep Grace also converted two penalty corners (16th and 41st) to ensure India remain unbeaten in the tournament.
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 manouvre in the opposition circle won them a penalty corner in the fourth minute.
The in-form Gurjit hardly broke a sweat as she scored with a fierce strike which beat Kazakhstan goalkeeper Guzal Bakhavaddin hands down.
The Rani Rampal-led forward line was fluent in the attacks as they created penalty corner opportunities to constantly put their opponents under pressure. The plan worked as a PC won in the 16th minute was brilliantly converted by Deep Grace.
Then Navneet scored back-to-back field goals to take India’s lead to a comfortable 4-1 margin at the end of second quarter. Late into the third quarter, Deep Grace converted India’s fifth penalty corner to make it 5-1 in India’s favour.
However, India were not done yet. They continued with their attacks and Gurjit made it 6-1 by converting India’s sixth penalty corner. In the last quarter with an emphatic lead, the Indian eves relaxed a little. But that did not prevent Gurjit getting her hat-trick and India’s seventh goal as she converted the ninth penalty corner earned by her side.
Press trust of India
