India stormed into the women’s Asia Cup hockey semifinals here on Thursday, thrashing Kazakhstan 7-1 in the quarterfinals here on Thursday.
Drag-flicker Gurjit Kaur was in sublime form as she pumped in three goals while Navneet Kaur scored twice and Deep Grace converted two penalty corners to ensure India remained unbeaten in the tournament.
After Vera Domashneva scored a field goal in the second minute to give Kazakhstan a 1-0 lead, India made amends when a tactical manoeuvre in the circle helped it win a penalty corner in the fourth minute.
In-form drag-flicker Gurjit hardly broke a sweat as she sent the ball past Kazakhstan custodian Guzal Bakhavaddin to equalise.
India was off to a steady start, patiently negotiating its way into the 25-yard mark and not making hasty forays but waiting for the right opportunity.
The Ritu Rani-led forwardline was smart in the attack. India won penalty corners to put the opponent under pressure. The plan worked as Deep brilliantly converted a penalty corner in the 16th minute to give India a 2-1 lead.
Navneet scored back-to-back field goals in the 22nd and 27th minutes to put India 4-1 ahead at the end of second quarter.
India began the third quarter by winning a penalty corner, but it was well saved by the Kazakhstan goalkeeper.
However, another penalty corner in the 41st minute was beautifully converted by Deep (5-1). Gurjit was splendid with her dragflick as she got her second goal through a penalty corner in the next minute.
The 22-year-old scored through yet another penalty corner in the 56th minute to register a hat-trick and help India win 7-1.
