India enters semifinals

India defeated China 4-2 to register its third win on the trot and advance to the semifinals of the girls’ under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament in Bangkok on Tuesday.

India, which led 2-0 at half-time, scored through Navjot Kaur (11th minute), Lilima Minz (34th), Poonam Rani (49th) and Anupa Barla (66th). The scorers for China were Song Xia Oming (60th) and Liang Xue (63rd).

With this victory, India is on top of Pool B with nine points from three successive wins. India had earlier routed Kazakhstan 12-0 and Sri Lanka 13-0 and takes on Malaysia in its last pool match on Thursday before playing the semifinals on Friday.

India began with a flourish with accurate passes and interceptions. The Indian forwards, led by skipper Poonam Rani and supported by Neha Goyal and Anupa Barla, kept the Chinese defenders busy with raids inside the striking circle at regular intervals.

Deep defenders Jaspreet Kaur and Sandeep Kaur were rock-solid as was goalkeeper Bigen Soy, who blocked some Chinese forays in the second-half.