India thrash New Zealand 6-1 in U-21 hockey tourney

Breda, The Netherlands: An upbeat Indian women's team thrashed New Zealand 6-1 to secure its first win in the ongoing Volvo Invitational U-21 Hockey Tournament here on Friday.

It was a commendable performance from captain Rani who scored a hat-trick.

Rani drew the first blood by slamming the ball past the opposition goalkeeper in the fifth minute.

Soon, Navneet Kaur scored the second goal for India with a field effort in the ninth minute.

Looking to pierce the Indian defence, New Zealand earned a penalty corner but failed to materialise it.

India kept playing an attacking game and struck the third field goal through Rani in the 30th minute.

At half time, India led 3-0.

The second half continued in the same vein as Indian women dominated proceedings. Rani brilliantly converted a penalty corner in the 40th minute for her third goal.

A field goal by Anupa Barla in the 46th minute made it 5-0.

New Zealand finally got one back when Pippa Norman scored through a penalty corner in the 53rd minute.

India's Lily Mayengbam completed the rout by scoring in the 70th minute.