India started their Champions Challenge II campaign with a winning note, defeating Belgium 5-3 at Kazan, Russia.

The winner of the tournament will get a berth for the next Champions Trophy

The inkling of the Indian form was not known when India conceded two goals in the beginning seven minutes.

However, Shahbad’s Rani scored a goal in the 26th minute to show the Indians are in the match.

India scored two goals early in the second half, Saba in the 41st minute, captain Surinder Kaur two minutes later. With this India equalized all the three goals of Belgium, trained by Australian Murray

Surinder Kaur converted a stroke again in the 61st minute, five minutes before Deepika Thakur ensured a smooth victory for India with a field goal.

India got 5 penalty corners over all but could not convert any. Belgium converted two out of three.

It is interesting to note that India lost to Belgium a year before in the Olympic Qualifier. This way this win turned out to be a good beginning for the girls who lost all matches in the Durban 4-Nation last week.