New Delhi, Feb 04: Spearheaded by the trio of Surinder Kaur, Adline Kerketta and Sanggai Chanu, Commonwealth and Afro-Asian Games Champions India hammered minnows Kazakhstan 8-0 in their last league assignment to sail into the semi-final of the 5th Women's Asia Cup tournament as the group leader here today. In another Pool A match, China drubbed Malaysia 7-1 to finish second in the pool. India and China both have registered two wins and a draw but the hosts, because of their better goal average after the match, is perched right on top having scored 13 goals and conceding three while China's tally is 12 and three.

India today took a leaf out of defending champions Korea's book, who have been religiously following the strategy of unsettling the opposition before they settled down and they drew early blood in both their matches so far.

India too unleashed a vigorous attack in the Kazakh defence and before the visitors could gather themselves, earned the first goal in the very first minute of the match. It was a brilliant move initiated by Jyoti Kullu India's saviour in the match against China, who entered the rival defence from the right of the box beating two defenders and released a ball for star forward Mamta Kharab. Mamta took a full blooded shot that richoceted off Surinder Kaur's stick and beat the rival custodian (1-0).

Another couple of minutes and Jyoti was at it again. She initiated a move that saw her literally running through the opponent citadel and her cracking shot beat the Kazakh goalkeeper but only after being deflected by Surinder. Jyoti was unfortunate not to have any goal against her name.

India further beefed up their attack and the third goal came in the 28th minute when Kanti Baa's shot from a penalty corner was padded off by Kazakh custodian L Adilgereyeva and an opportunistic Surajlata Devi, skipper of the team, pushed the rebound into an empty goal(3-0).

India led 3-0 in the breather.

Bureau Report