Indian eves thrash Chinese Taipei 7-0 in hockey opener

Doha, Dec 3 (UNI) Skipper Jyoti Sunita Kullu led the charge, scoring three goals as India made a flying start trouncing Chinese Taipei 7-0 in the Women Hockey competition at the Asian Games here today.

In other matches, Japan and Korea both took one point home after a 2-2 draw, while Malaysia defeated Hong Kong 3-1.

India played a great match against outsider Taipei. Although it took 18 minutes for the first Indian goal, India was always in control of the match.

The winners led 1-0 at half time and pumped in six more in the second session to record an authentic victory.

Jyoti gave her team the lead in the 18th minute when she converted a penalty corner but after that Indians had to wait for another 20 minutes to get the second goal, which was scored by Subhadra Pradhan.

The victory margin would have been much higher but for the missed chances as the Indian fiorwars missed some sitters.

Sunita made it 3-0 in the 39th minute and six minutes later the goal tally went up 4-0 with Surinder Kaur chipping in a beautiful goal. Saba Anjum contributed the fifth goal in the 49th minute and last two goals were scored by Sunita and Surinder Kaur who scored them in 58th and 66th minute.

It was totally one-sided affair with India dominating and dictating proceedings from the start.

''It was a good match,' said elated coach M K Kaushik.

''But we still have to improve our scoring conversions. We need to get the half chances converted,'' he said.

''Though we won easily, the victory margin should have been more, given our dominance,'' the coach said.

''the tough battle lies ahead. We will have to put up improved showing in the future matches. After all, it's a very tough competition,'' he added.

UNI HSB AY DB2237