India’s rich vein of form continued as they registered a commanding 7-1 win over Kazakhstan and progressed to the semi-finals of the women’s Asia Cup. Gurjit Kaur, who scored in each of her side’s win in the group stages, smashed a hat-trick. Navneet Kaur and Deep Grace Ekka, who have also impressed so far, bagged two goals each.

Coming into the game on the back of three comprehensive wins in the group stages, India were stunned by Kazakhstan, who went into the lead in just the second minute of the game with Vera Domashneva scoring a field goal.

However, India equalised just two minutes later with Gurjit converting a penalty corner. The India side, then, ran riot in the second quarter, where they scored three goals. It was Ekka who put her side in the lead as India were on target again from another penalty corner. As the first half drew to a close, Navneet Kaur gave her side a three-goal cushion through twin strikes in the space of five minutes.

India’s fifth and sixth goals also came from penalty corners with Ekka and Gurjit pocketing their second. Four minute from time, Gurjit completed her hat-trick with a calm strike from open play.

Harendra Singh’s side will play the winner of the Japan vs Malaysia quarter-final match in the last-four.

Brief scores:

  • India 7 (Gurjit Kaur x 3, Navneet Kaur x 2, Deep Grace Ekka x 2) beat Kazakhstan 1 (Vera Domashneva)