03 June,2023 02:20 PM IST | Kakamighara (Japan) | mid-day online correspondent
Representational Image (Pic: iStock)
India started their campaign in the Women's Junior Asia Cup on a winning note as their opponent Uzbekistan suffered a 22-0 defeat, here on Saturday. Annu remained the star performer as she slammed a double hat-trick (13th, 29th, 30th, 38th, 43rd, 51st min) for India.
Other goal-scorers were Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke (3rd, 56th); Mumtaz Khan (6th, 44th, 47th, 60th); Sunelita Toppo (17th, 17th); Manju Chorsiya (26th), Deepika Soreng (18th, 25th), Deepika (32nd, 44th, 46th, 57th), and Neelam (47th).
India remained on attack from the onset and took an early lead when Vaishnavi (3rd) converted a penalty corner.
Mumtaz doubled India's lead three minutes later with a field strike.
Annu added to the team's tally by netting a goal as the opening quarter ended with India enjoying a 3-0 lead.
The second quarter was no different as India continued to dominate the proceedings and scored goals at will through Sunelita, Manju, Deepika and Anu, thus enjoying a commanding 10-0 lead at the half-time.
The script was the same after the change of ends as Deepika netted one through penalty corner while Annu struck two more to help India take 13-0 lead.
Mumtaz and Deepika scored in dying moments of third quarter to make it 15-0.
It was one-way traffic as India pumped in seven more goals in the final quarter.
India will go against Malaysia in their second pool game on June 5.
(With PTI inputs)
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