Donghae City: Navneet Kaur scored a hat-trick as defending champions India kick-started the Women’s Asian Hockey Champions Trophy with a 4-1 win against Japan at the Sunrise Stadium in Donghae City in Korea on Sunday.
Navneet scored in the 7th, 25th and 55th minute while Anupa Barla (53’) was the other goal-scorer for India.
The first goal came up when Navneet scored off an assist by forward Vandana Katariya.
The team led by Odia girl Sunita Lakra, once again struck in the 25th minute, with another assist by Vandana, which was converted by Navneet.
India’s third goal came off an assist by Udita to Anupa Barla who beat the Korean defender.
The fourth goal for India came in the 55th kminute with Navneet scoring through a combination with Udita.
Japan managed to pull one back in the 58th minute, but the consolation goal by Aki Yamada did little to help the team.
“It was an important match to win because a good start always gives confidence to play better in the next matches to come. In the absence of our key striker Rani, there was more responsibility on us to create chances and I am happy that our team did really well,” said Navneet Kaur, who was awarded Player of the Match.
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