New Delhi: Skipper Saba Anjum led from the front scoring three goals to help India thrash Azerbaijan 6-1 and advance into the quarterfinals of the FIH Women's Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Dublin, Ireland.
India, who led 5-0 at the half time, were in total domination in their last Pool B round robin fixture.
Saba (4th, 7th and 32nd) converted three penalty corners while Deepika Thakur (10th), Rani Rampal (18th) and Jasjit Kaur Handa (52nd) fired in a goal each to hand India the rampaging victory last night.
For Azerbaijan, Khatira Aliyeva scored the lone goal in the 47th minute from a short corner.
India finished second in their pool behind Ireland and will now play Japan in the last eight round tomorrow.
India had earlier lost to Ireland 1-2 in their tournament opener before drawing 1-1 against Spain in their next pool fixture.
PTI
First Published: Wednesday, June 22, 2011, 17:01