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The Indian women’s junior hockey team began their Women’s Junior Asia Cup campaign in Changzhou, China with a 13-0 thrashing of The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK). The girls were inspired by a real captain’s performance from Rani, who managed five goals in the match including three strikes in consecutive minutes post half-time, the New Indian Express reports.
Despite facing DPRK for the first time in their history, the Indians didn’t take their opposition lightly whatsoever. They were 6-0 up by half-time and went on to strike a further seven as Navneet Kaur and Preeti Dubey picked up a brace each and Jaspreet Kaur, Punam Barla, Lily Mayengbam and Lilima Minz scored a goal apiece to give the young side a comprehensive win.
Midfielder Preeti Dubey took just 11 minutes to open the scoring for India, which was then doubled by Jaspreet Kaur nine minutes later. The third, fourth, fifth and sixth goals were scored in the span of 10 minutes as striker Navneet, captain Rani, Lily and Punam scored to put the match out of Korea’s reach before the end of the first half.
Three goals in as many minutes from Rani helped put the Indians 9-0 up, although they didn’t want to stop right there. Rani scored her fifth goal of the match right after Lilima Minz’s strike in the 51st minute, following which Navneet and Preeti completed their braces with their efforts in the 64th minute and 69th minute respectively.
The win means that the girls are top of Pool A ahead of China, Singapore, DPRK and Malaysia. They have a goal difference that trounces that of second-placed Malaysia, who managed to score twice to beat the Indian’s next opponents Singapore 2-0.
India will look to win the 7th edition of the Asia Cup, which will help them qualify for the 2016 FIH Junior World Cup in Chile. There are only three qualification spots available for Asia, so teams ranked first through third will qualify for the event. The team had already finished second in the 2012 edition of the tournament and were also bronze medalists in the 2013 World Cup event in New Delhi.
Singapore is up next for India, and the match will take place at the same venue as the thrashing of North Korea.
