Saba guides India into Champions Challenge hockey quarters

NEW DELHI: Skipper Saba Anjum led from the front scoring three goals to help India thrash Azerbaijan 6-1 and advance into the quarterfinals of the FIH Womens Champions Challenge hockey tournament at Dublin on Tuesday.

According to information received, India, who led 5-0 at the halfway mark, were in total domination in their last Pool B round robin fixture.

Saba (4th, 7th and 32 minute) converted three penalty corners for India, while Deepika Thakur (10th min), Rani Rampal (18th) and Jasjit Kaur Handa (52nd min) fired in three more goals to hand India the rampaging victory.

For Azerbaijan, Khatira Aliyeva scored the lone goal in the 47th minute from a short corner.

India thus finished second in their pool behind Ireland and will now play Japan in the last eight round on Thursday.

India had earlier lost to hosts Ireland 1-2 in their tournament opener before drawing 1-1 against Spain in their next pool fixture.