<p>The Indian women's hockey team started its campaign in the FIH Junior World Cup on a resounding note, thrashing a lowly Wales 5-1 in its opening pool match here on Saturday.</p>.<p>The Indians scored through field efforts from Lalremsiami (4th minute), Lalrindiki (32nd) and Mumtaz Khan (41st) before Lalrindiki (57th) and Deepika (58th) converted two late penalty corners for the winners.</p>.<p>Wales' lone goal was scored by Millie Holme in the 26th minute from a field strike.</p>.<p>The Indians started on a bright note and secured an early penalty corner but Deepika's drag-flick was saved by the Welsh goalkeeper.</p>.<p>But India were not to be denied for long as they took the lead in the fourth minute when Lalremsiami deflected in Sangita Kumari's shot towards the goal.</p>.<p>Wales also tested the Indian defence early on but failed to get past agile custodian Bichu Devi.</p>.<p>Wales drew parity in the second quarter through Holme as both the teams went into the halfway break at 1-1.</p>.<p>Wales started aggressively after the change of ends but it was India who restored their lead two minutes into the third quarter through a field goal by Lalrindiki.</p>.<p>The Indians kept up the pressure and extended their lead in the 41st minute through another field strike from Mumtaz.</p>.<p>From there on the Indians completely dominated the proceedings as the Wales defence found it difficult to stop their rivals' consistent forays.</p>.<p>India skipper Salima Tete was brilliant in creating chances for her side with her dribbling skills and sideways runs.</p>.<p>Tete secured a few penalty corners for India in the fourth quarter but the opportunities went in vain.</p>.<p>With three minutes left on the clock, Deepika earned a penalty corner and Larindiki was at the right place to score from a rebound and make it 4-1 in favour of India.</p>.<p>A minute later, it was Larindiki's turn to secure another penalty corner for India and Deepika executed her job perfectly to place her dragflcik to the left of the Wales custodian.</p>.<p>India will play formidable Germany on Sunday in their second Pool D match.</p>.<p>The Indians will then take on Malaysia in the final pool match before the quarterfinal round which starts on April 8.</p>.<p>The quadrennial tournament, which was originally scheduled for last December, was postponed due to the threat posed by the omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa.</p>.<p>India, who have appeared in four editions of the junior global event, claimed their best finish in 2013 with a bronze. The team did not qualify for the last edition of the tournament. </p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>
<p>The Indian women's hockey team started its campaign in the FIH Junior World Cup on a resounding note, thrashing a lowly Wales 5-1 in its opening pool match here on Saturday.</p>.<p>The Indians scored through field efforts from Lalremsiami (4th minute), Lalrindiki (32nd) and Mumtaz Khan (41st) before Lalrindiki (57th) and Deepika (58th) converted two late penalty corners for the winners.</p>.<p>Wales' lone goal was scored by Millie Holme in the 26th minute from a field strike.</p>.<p>The Indians started on a bright note and secured an early penalty corner but Deepika's drag-flick was saved by the Welsh goalkeeper.</p>.<p>But India were not to be denied for long as they took the lead in the fourth minute when Lalremsiami deflected in Sangita Kumari's shot towards the goal.</p>.<p>Wales also tested the Indian defence early on but failed to get past agile custodian Bichu Devi.</p>.<p>Wales drew parity in the second quarter through Holme as both the teams went into the halfway break at 1-1.</p>.<p>Wales started aggressively after the change of ends but it was India who restored their lead two minutes into the third quarter through a field goal by Lalrindiki.</p>.<p>The Indians kept up the pressure and extended their lead in the 41st minute through another field strike from Mumtaz.</p>.<p>From there on the Indians completely dominated the proceedings as the Wales defence found it difficult to stop their rivals' consistent forays.</p>.<p>India skipper Salima Tete was brilliant in creating chances for her side with her dribbling skills and sideways runs.</p>.<p>Tete secured a few penalty corners for India in the fourth quarter but the opportunities went in vain.</p>.<p>With three minutes left on the clock, Deepika earned a penalty corner and Larindiki was at the right place to score from a rebound and make it 4-1 in favour of India.</p>.<p>A minute later, it was Larindiki's turn to secure another penalty corner for India and Deepika executed her job perfectly to place her dragflcik to the left of the Wales custodian.</p>.<p>India will play formidable Germany on Sunday in their second Pool D match.</p>.<p>The Indians will then take on Malaysia in the final pool match before the quarterfinal round which starts on April 8.</p>.<p>The quadrennial tournament, which was originally scheduled for last December, was postponed due to the threat posed by the omicron variant of Covid-19 in South Africa.</p>.<p>India, who have appeared in four editions of the junior global event, claimed their best finish in 2013 with a bronze. The team did not qualify for the last edition of the tournament. </p>.<p><strong>Check out DH's latest videos</strong></p>