Kakamigahara [Japan]: The Indian women’s hockey will face defending champions Japan in the semi-finals of the Asia Cup 2017 tomorrow after registering an impressive 7-1 win in the quarter-finals against Kazakhstan here at the Kakamigahara Kawasaki Stadium on Thursday.
India will take on Japan in the second semi-finals, while China will play Korea in another semi-final match.
Earlier in the day, India’s Gurjit Kaur scored a hattrick while Navneet Kaur and Deep Grace score a double in India’s stunning quarter final victory against Kazakhstan.
After an early setback when Vera Domashneva scored a field goal in the second minute of the match to give Kazakhstan 1-0 lead, India made amends when a tactical manoeuvre in the circle won them a penality conrner in the fourth minute.
In form dragflicker Gurjit Kaur hardly broke a sweat to fiercely strike the ball past Kazakhstan goalkeeper Guzal Bakhavaddin to equalise.
The Rani-led forward line were smart in their attacks as they created penalty corners to put their opponents under pressure.
The plan worked as a penalty corner won in the 16th minute was brilliantly converted through Deep Grace.
The following minutes saw Navneet Kaur score back-to-back field goals in the 22nd and 27th minute to take India’s lead to a comfortable 4-1 at the end of second quarter.
Another penalty corner awarded in the 41st minute was beautifully converted by Deep Grace that took India’s lead to a strong 5-1.
Gurjit Kaur was splendid in her dragflick to convert her second goal through penalty corner in the 42nd minute to ensure India were on the right path to win.
The 22-year-old Gurjit Kaur struck yet another penalty corner in the 56th minute as she registered a hattrick of goals and end the match in India’s favour with a 7-1 win. (ANI)