India thrash NZ 6-1 in U-21 hockey tourney

An upbeat Indian women’s team thrashed New Zealand 6-1 to secure its first win in the ongoing Volvo Invitational U-21 Hockey Tournament here on Friday. It was a commendable performance from captain Rani who scored a hat-trick.

Rani drew the first blood by slamming the ball past the opposition goalkeeper in the fifth minute.

Soon, Navneet Kaur scored the second goal for India with a field effort in the ninth minute.

Looking to pierce the Indian defence, New Zealand earned a penalty corner but failed to materialise it. India kept playing an attacking game and struck the third field goal through Rani in the 30th minute. At half time, India led 3-0. The second half continued in the same vein as Indian women dominated proceedings. Rani brilliantly converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute for her third goal.