Rani scores hat-trick in India's win

Skipper Rani Rampal scored a hat-trick as title contenders India outplayed Thailand 5-0 to storm into the semi-finals of the women's hockey competition at the 18th Asian Games here on Monday.

After a barren and action-less first two quarters, the Indians got into the groove and scored five goals after the change of ends through Rani (37th, 46th and 56th minutes), Monika (52nd) and Navjot Kaur (55th) to register their fourth consecutive win.

With an unbeaten record under its belt, the Indian women's team finished on top of Pool B with 12 points from four wins ahead of defending champions South Korea, who they had defeated 4-1 in their penultimate pool encounter.

The first few minutes of the opening quarter saw Thailand maintain most of the possession but it was India who had an opening in the fifth minute when captain Rani's reverse shot from the right flank went just wide of the goal post.

Denied any goal by world number 28 Thailand in the first 30 minutes, the Indians came out all guns blazing in the third quarter and went on the offensive.

Two minutes into the third quarter, India secured their third penalty corner but Gurjit Kaur's drag flick was saved by Thai goalkeeper Alisa.

India kept up the pressure on the Thai defence in the following minutes and got their fourth penalty corner but once again Alisa came in between Gurjit and a goal.

India's consistent pressure bore fruit in the 37th minute when Rani scored from a rebound after Udita's initial try was saved by Alisa.

Thereafter, the Indians exerted constant pressure on their opponents and in the 46th minute, Rani once again found herself at the right place at the right time to stroke home from another rebound to double India's lead.

From there on, it was India all over as they attacked in numbers to catch the Thai defence off guard on three more occasions in the last 10 minutes of the game. First Monika scored from a rebound in the 52nd minute after Deep's try from a penalty corner was denied by the Thai goalkeeper and then Navjot and Rani scored two beautiful field goals to seal the match for India.