Indian women thrash Azerbaijan in hockey

Patna, June 21, 2011: Skipper Saba Anjum led from the front firing three goals as India routed Azerbaijan 6-1 to advance into the quarterfinals of the FIH Women’s Champions Challenge 1 at Dublin on Tuesday.

According a Hockey India Press release, India who led 5-0 at half time were in total domination in their last Pool ‘B’ round-robin fixture. They went down in the opener against hosts Ireland 1-2 and drew the next 1-1 with Spain.

The goal scorers for India were Saba Anjum (4th, 7th & 32 minutes penalty corner), Deepika Thakur (10th minute penalty corner), Rani Rampal (18th) and Jasjit Kaur Handa (52nd min) while the sole markswoman for Azerbaijan was Khatira Aliyeva from a penalty corner in the 47th min.

India thus finished second in their pool behind Ireland and will now play Japan in the quarterfinal on Thursday.