India sink Belarus, in medal round

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The Asian Age

New Delhi

Aug. 5: Rani Devi scored a hat-trick to help India outclass Belarus 6-0 and qualify for the medal league second round of the BDO women’s junior hockey world cup in Boston on Tuesday, according to information received here.

With this win, India top Group D with six points followed by Australia and the United States. India stunned favourites Australia in their previous match and now play the USA in their last pool game on Thursday.

Roselin Dung Dung (16th), Poonam Rani (38th), Ritu Rani (51st) hit the first three goals for India before Rani Devi (53rd, 54th and 58th) scored a hat-trick to give India a facile win.

The match started on a cautious note but the Indians soon launched a series of raids.

Dung Dung earned the lead in the 16th minute off skipper Ranjita Devi’s pass which she nailed past Belarus goalie Veranika Mikanovich.

Any attempts by Belarus were easily thwarted by the Indians and they dominated the second half with the forwards penetrating the Belarus defence at will.