Hockey: Indian women thrash USA 5-1 in Olympic qualifier's 1st leg

Captain Rani Rampal used all her experience leing from front to script a thumping 5-1 first-leg Olympic qualifier victory over USA at Bhubaneshwar's Kalinga Stium on Friday evening. second and last leg of qualifier will be held at same venue on Saturday evening and India needs to eir win, draw or lose with less than 4 goal difference to qualify for Tokyo Olympics next year. 

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crucial period

crucial period of match was when India pumped in 3 goals in just six minutes towards end of 2nd half and beginning of third to take full control of match. Earlier, first quarter ended goalless with Indian team keeping more possession but it was USA that looked more dangerous and closer to scoring a goal. For India, Lilima Minz drew first blood against run of play in second quarter to take 1-0 le in match.Unlike in past, Indian players changed ir strategy and guess what it worked in ir favour as y score and take go 1-0 up with just a minute left in half-time hooter.

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final two-quarters of contest

After 2nd half, Shabila scores second goal of evening to double India's le as she converted a move which began outside box and lovely change of play provided Indian player with ample time in front of goal and she me most of it.India scored two more goals in third quarter to triple ir le. One of m was a field goal while or one was a result of a penalty-corner conversion. Indian skipper Rani Rampal used all her experience inside enemy's box and won ar penalty corner for her side and India triple ir le in time. India was off to a flying start in final quarter as y d one more to ir tally on counter-attack, making it 4-0.  US player committed foul inside box and referee has awarded a penalty stroke to India. USA have take review but TV umpire ruled in India's favour. Gurjit converts that penalty stroke to take India's le to 5-0. referee awarded USA a penalty stroke and y converted it to reduce gap by one goal.

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