Hockey5s World Cup: India Women Beat Namibia 7-2, Enter Quarter-Finals

The Indian women's team stormed into the quarterfinals of the FIH Hockey5s Women's World Cup after thrashing Namibia 7-2 in Muscat on Thursday. It was Indian team's third win in a row in Pool C. The team will now take on New Zealand, the second placed team in Pool D, for a place in the semifinals on Friday. The Indians had earlier defeated Poland 5-4 before getting the better of USA 7-3 in their next match. The Indians had Namibia on the backfoot within no time, scoring two goals into the game through vice-captain Mahima Choudhary (3rd minute).

A minute later, Deepika Soreng doubled the lead. No further goals were scored in the first half but it was evident that Indians were in complete control of the game.

Namibia scored their first goal of the game early in the second half with Jivanka Kruger (18th) opening their account but India quickly retaliated as Mahima Choudhary (19th) scored her second goal. Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (22nd) and Akshata Abaso Dhekale (23rd) added to India's tally within two minutes before Deepika (26th) scored her second goal as India led 6-1 with four minutes left on the clock.

Ajmina Kujur (28th) too scored for India before Anthea Coetzee (30th) found the net for Namibia for the second time but it wasn't enough.

Earlier during the day, Mariana Kujur and Deepika struck a brace each as India secured a 7-3 victory over the United States in their second Pool C game. The goal-scorers for India were Mahima Choudhary (17th), Mariana Kujur (20th, 22nd), Deepika (23rd, 25th), Mumtaz Khan (27th), and Ajmina Kujur (29th). Jacqueline Sumfest (4th, 18th) and captain Linnea Gonzales (14th) got on the scoresheet for the United States in the match on Wednesday.

(Except for the headline, this story has not been