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Vandana Kataria drives India to HWL Round 2 semis

Vandana scored a stunning back-handed field goal as India beat Belarus 1-0.

Vandana Kataria drives India to HWL Round 2 semis

India's women hockey team celebrates the victory.

Vandana Kataria scored a stunning back-handed field goal as India’s women hockey team beat Belarus 1-0 to enter the semi-finals of Women's Hockey World League Round 2 in West Vancouver on Monday.

With the victory, India topped the Pool A points table to enter the semis, scheduled on April 8.

Both the sides started aggressively, though the first quarter ended with no goal despite both teams having claimed a penalty corner each.

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It was Vandana's sensational field goal in the 26th minute that gave India an edge over Belarus ahead of half-time.

Motivated by the goal, India continued dominating Belarus in the third quarter and earned three PCs. They, however, couldn't extend their lead.

Belarus came stronger in the fourth quarter, seeking to score an equaliser desperately. They earned a PC in the 58th minute, though Indian goalkeeper Savita stood tall in front of the net to ruin all efforts by Belarus.

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