Indian eves crush Canada 4-1 in hockey Olympic qualifiers

The Indian women's hockey team dished out a dominating performance to notch up a convincing 4-1 victory over Canada in their second match of the London Olympic qualifiers at the Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Sunday.

After being held to a 1-1 draw by lowly Ukraine on Saturday evening, India on Sunday came out all guns blazing with Soundarya Yendala (16th minute), Rani Rampal (19th), Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam (29th) and Anuradha Devi Thokchom (49th) sounding the board.

The world number 20th team, Canada, who were held to a 2-2 draw by Italy on Saturday, couldn't make much penetration and failed to pose much threat to the Indians and managed to score a solitary goal in the dying moments through Hannah Haughn (69th).

With this win, India earned three points to climb to the second position along with Italy in the pool. India had bagged one point on Saturday.

The world number 13, India, played an aggressive game right from the start and kept the ball in the rival camp for most part of the match.

India earned their first penalty corner as early as in the seventh minute but Anuradha Devi couldn't make it count as her shot went wide. Three minutes later, Anuradha had another go at the post, but once again she squandered the chance.

At the 16th minute, India got a second penalty corner and this time, skipper Asunta lakra and Soundarya Yendala combined well to put the hosts in the lead. Lakra took the strike with Soundarya deflecting it home.

Three minutes later, Rani Rampal scored from a free hit when she dribbled past a few defenders and hit home from inside the D.

In the 27th minute, Rani Rampal earned India another penalty corner with Lakra taking the strike, which gave way to the fourth penalty corner for the hosts, but the skipper couldn't make it count again.

A minute later, India earned another penalty corner and Jaspreet Kaur took the strike, which culminated into another penalty corner.

However, this time the hosts didn't make any mistake as Lakra and Sushila Chanu (29th) tried out a variation with the latter scoring from the D-top on the right side to take India to a commanding position.

In the second half, Canada looked more agile, but they still found it difficult to make much inroads into the rival half as the Indian defenders and midfielders were equally alert.

In the 49th minute, Anuradha Devi scored from inside the D after being fed by Rani Rampal to make it 4-0 in India's favour.

In the 69th minute, Canada's Hannah Haughn scored a consolation goal from a goalmouth melee, but it was too little too late. Lara was adjudged the player of the match.

India will next take on 28th ranked Poland on Tuesday.