Indian eves thrash Canada 4-1 in hockey Olympic qualifiers

After a lacklustre opening day in the Olympic qualifying tournament, Indian women team coach CR Kumar promised to come back with a better game plan in the next 24 hours. Aware that this could be their best ever chance to qualify for the Olympics, Indian eves made amends and delivered a much-needed knockout punch to beat Canada 4-1 in their second encounter on Sunday.

Within the first seven minutes, the Indians made their intentions clear by occupying the Canadian half. There was a flurry of chances created and missed in the opening minutes. But the Indian forward line comprising Jasjeet Kaur Handa, Rani Rampal, Ritu Rani and Anuradha Devi Thokchom refused to release the pressure.

India opened the account through a smartly planned deflection by Soundarya Yendala in their second penalty corner. Rani made it 2-0 in the 19th minute by converting one of the easiest chances. There was more drama to follow in the Canadian half as India got four short corners in as many minutes and only released the pressure after going 3-0 up through yet another indirect penalty corner deflection by Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam.

India made it 4-0 after the breather as Anuradha Devi Thokchom scored the best goal of the match. Canada consolidated towards the fag end when Hannah Haughn took advantage of the tiring Indian defence line.Indian eves dished out a dominating performance to notch up a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada in their second match of the London Olympic qualifiers at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium on New Delhi on Sunday.

After being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Ukraine last evening, India today came out all guns blazing with Soundarya Yendala (16th minute), Rani Rampal (19th), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (29th) and Anuradha Devi Thokchom (49th) sounding the board.

The world number 20th team, Canada, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Italy on Saturday, couldn't make much penetration and failed to pose much threat to the Indians even though they managed to score a solitary goal in the dying moments through Hannah Haughn (69th).

With this win, India earned three points to lie in the second position along with Italy in the pool. India had bagged one point on Saturday.

The world number 13 India played an aggressive game right from the start and kept the ball in the rival camp for most part of the match.

India earned their first penalty corner as early as in the seventh minute but Anuradha Devi couldn't make it count as her shot went wide. Three minutes later, Anuradha had another go at the post, but once again she squandered the chance.

At the 16th minute, India got a second PC and this time, skipper Asunta lakra and Soundarya Yendala combined well to put the hosts in the lead. Lakra took the strike with Soundarya deflecting it home.

Three minutes later, Rani Rampal scored from a free hit when she dribbled past a few defenders and hit home from inside the D.

In the 27th minute, Rani Rampal earned India another PC with Lakra taking the strike, which gave way to the fourth PC for the hosts, but the skipper couldn't make it count again.