Hockey World League: Indian women hammer Fiji 10-0

New Delhi - The Indian women’s team strengthened its position on the top of the table with a dominating 10-0 win over Fiji in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here Thursday.

Forwards Rani Rampal (22nd, 61st), Roselin Dung Dung (15th, 45th) and drag-flicker Jaspreet Kaur (59th, 69th) struck a brace each while Yendala Soundarya (7th), Namita Toppo (11th), Navjot Kaur (38th) and Chanchan Devi Thokchom (66th) struck once each.

With the win, India moved a point clear of top seeds Japan, who were held 1-1 by Russia earlier in the day.

It was a good performance by India despite the fact that they messed by at least four penalty corners that came their way.

Though India got two penalty corners within four minutes, they took the lead in the seventh minute after Soundarya cracked home a switch-right from their third corner.

Namita doubled the lead with another powerful hit before Roselin got the first goal from play with a near post touch. Rani struck the fourth from a goalmouth scramble before the half time break.

The second half continued in the same breadth and had it not been for the heroics of goalkeeper Susana Mudunatagi, Fiji would have lost by a bigger margin. Susana was also adjudged as Man of the Match.

Indian coach Neil Hawgood said the match was ideal preparation for Friday’s encounter against Japan.

“We took this match a preparation for tomorrow’s match against Japan. Today Japan didn’t play well so we can expect them to come hard at us. We are getting into the circle and our turnovers are happening but I am looking for consistency,” he said.