Hockey World League: Vandana on song as India enter semifinals

NEW DELHI: Vandana Katariya scored four times as table-toppers India thrashed a much-lower ranked Singapore 10-0 in the Hero Hockey World League Round 2 quarterfinal match at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium on Thursday.
The 23-year-old from Uttar Pradesh, top scorer of the tournament, scored in 17th, 48th, 56th and 57th minutes to take her goal tally to 10 goals.
India, ranked No.13 in the world, will now meet Thailand in the semifinals on Saturday. The Thai girls upset a higher ranked Kazakhstan 4-3. In the other semifinal, Poland will take on Malaysia.
"It was a team effort and yes, an easy match. We will try to keep up the good form in the semifinals," Vandana, who was declared the player of the match, said.
The hosts breached Singapore's defence with ease, taking an early lead when Poonam Rani converted a penalty corner in the fourth minute. Two minutes later, Navjot Kaur's deflection to Rani's backhand gave India a cushion.
Singapore, ranked No. 43, gauged the game better in the second half and were awarded a penalty in the 23rd minute but failed to capitalize. The Indians then hit back and attacked in waves to cruise. Apart from Vandana, Anupa Barla (19th minute), Deepika (32nd minute), Rani (35th minute) and Jaspreet Kaur (51st minute) scored in the win.