Riding on Mumtaz Khan's handsome hat-trick, Indian women's hockey team crushed a lowly Malaysia 4-0 to end its pool engagements with an unbeaten record in the FIH Junior World Cup on Tuesday (April 5).
Already assured of a quarter-final berth before Tuesday's tie, India scored four field goals -- three by Mumtaz (10th minute, 26th minute, 59th minute) and one by Sangita Kumari (11th minute).
India, thus, finished on top of Pool D with maximum nine points from three victories out of as many matches. The Indian had earlier defeated Wales 5-1 before getting the better of formidable Germany 2-1 in their first two pool games.
Their confidence on a different level after ensuring a knock-out berth, the Indians completely dominated the proceedings and created a flurry of chances from the word go. Their efforts bore fruit in the 10th minute when an opportunist Mumtaz scored from close range after the ball fell before her sticks after ricocheting from a Malaysian defender.
India doubled their lead a minute later when Sangita coolly deflected home from a Lalrindiki cross. India continued to press hard and secured two penalty corners in quick succession but both the efforts went in vain.
In the 26th minute, Mumtaz strcuk again to hand India 3-0 lead at half time.
Lalrindiki had an excellent outing as she not only created scoring chances for India but also threatened the Malaysian goal on a number of occasions.
The Indians secured a few more penalty corners in the third quarter but they lacked in final execution. With 10 minutes to go, Malaysia secured two penalty corners but India's second goalkeeper Khusboo came up with excellent saves to deny any inroads to their opponents.
India earned their seventh penalty corner soon but this time Malaysian goalkeeper AB Mashitah made a fine save with her stick. India extended their lead a minute from the final hooter through Mumtaz, who deflected home a Beauty Dung Dung's pass.
The all confident and pepped up India will now face South Korea in the quarterfinals on Friday (April 8).
