Indian women’s hockey team thump Belarus 6-0

BOSTON - Striker Rani Devi slammed a hat-trick to help India to a comprehensive 6-0 victory over Belarus in their Group D fixture at the junior women’s hockey World Cup here wednesday.

With this win, India qualified for the medal league second round as the top team from the pool.

India scored through Roselin Dung Dung (16th), Poonam Rani (38th), Ritu Rani (51st) and Rani Devi (53rd, 54th and 58th min).

Both teams started cautiously, but as the first half progressed India took territorial supremacy pushing action in the Belarus end.

Dung Dung gave India the lead off skipper Ranjita Devi’s set-up which was nailed past Belarus goalkeeper Veranika Mikanovich.

Belarus attempts for an equalilser were thwarted by an alert Indian defence and a penalty corner was aborted by goalie Jasdeep Kaur late in the first half.

India totally dominated the second half as the forwards shed off their markers and tore open the Belarus defence.

Poonam scored the second goal three minutes into the second half with a crisp volley past defender Kibkova and Mikanovich.

Ritu increased India’s tally when she converted a penalty corner in the 51st minute.

Rani Devi then went on a goal-scoring spree, sounding the board thrice within a span of just six minutes.

Belarus substituted their goalkeeper bringing in Yauheniya Letsko, but it made no difference.

India will now play hosts USA in their last preliminary pool game Thursday.