India defeated Thailand 7-2 in the final here on Monday to win the inaugural Women’s Asian Hockey 5s World Cup Qualifier and seal its berth in the next year’s World Cup.
Mariana Kujur (2nd, 8th minutes) and Jyoti (10th, 27th) scored a brace for India, while Monika Dipi Toppo (7th), skipper Navjot Kaur (23rd) and Mahima Choudhary (29th) were the other goal scorers.
For Thailand, Kunjira Inpa (5th) and Sanpoung Kornkanok (5th) were on target.
India, thus, qualified for the inaugural edition of the Hockey 5s World Cup to be held in Muscat from January 24-27 next year.
It was quick to get off the blocks with Kujur handing her side the lead very early into the match with an excellent field goal. But Thailand struck two goals in quick time through Ipna and Kornkanok to put India on the back foot.
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India responded immediately through in-form Toppo as she made a brilliant penetration and scored a fine field goal to level the scores minutes later. It then took the lead through Kujur’s second strike a minute later.
With four minutes remaining in the first half, Jyoti extended India’s lead to 4-2. After the change of ends, a charged-up India continued to play with pace and precision, testing Thailand’s defence constantly.
Its efforts paid off as captain Navjot added a fifth goal to the tally. With three minutes remaining, Jyoti pumped in another goal to make it 6-2 and then Choudhary made it 7-2.
Earlier in the day, Navjot slammed a hat-trick as India defeated Malaysia 9-5 to enter the final. Hockey India has announced Rs 2 lakh reward to each player of the team, while Rs 1 lakh each for the support staff.
(This news is published through a syndicated feed courtesy SportsStar – The Hindu)
