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Russia: Indian women crushed Belgium 6-3 to win the inaugural Champions Challenge II hockey tournament on Saturday.
Rani Rampal, who emerged as the tournament`s top scorer with eight goals, scored four goals in the 17th, 38th, 44th and 54th minutes.
Apart from her, Saba Anjum (20th min) and Thokchom Chanchan (49th min) scored a goal each and led India to victory. Skipper Valerie Vermeersch (40th, 52nd) and Boon Jill (55th) scored for Belgium.
With this victory, India qualified for next year`s Champions Challenge I proper to be held in October in South Africa. Last time, India played in Champions Challenge I, a qualification tournament for the elite Champions Trophy, in 2001 in Johannesburg and won a bronze medal.
The Indian women showed a dominating display here wining all their five matches. This win will also help to wipe out some bad memories of last year`s Beijing Olympic qualifiers here when the team finished fourth among six teams.
The title could not have been more satisfying for India which lost to Belgium in the Olympic qualifiers, but in this tournament they beat them twice. They had earlier defeated Belgium 5-3 in the Pool A opener.
During the first 15 minutes, both team had their chances, but India finally opened the scoring when Rani struck the first of her four goals in the final. India extended the lead three minutes later through a field goal by Anjum. India kept up the pressure on Belgium in the second half after leading 2-0 at half time.
However, India kept looking for goals and Rani soon gave them a comfortable 4-1 cushion and the writing was very much on the wall for Belgium.
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Posted On : 01 Jul 09
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