New Delhi: Indian women beat Azerbaijan 3-0 in the first match of the four-match Test series for the Karbonn Cup at the National Stadium on Sunday.
India, who led 1-0 at half-time, took the lead through Anuradha Devi in the 19th minute and followed it up with two penalty corner conversions by Soundara Yendala (51st) and Joydeep Kaur (61st).
Azerbaijan warded off the initial Indian attacks from Kiran Dahiya and Jasjeet Kaur Handa with efficient marking in the 23-metre area.
A good chance to score went begging when Vandana Katariya shot feebly at Azerbaijan goalkeeper Viktoriya Shukarova. India, however, took the lead when Anuradha Devi shot home after being set up by Lily Chanu, playing in her first international match.
India returned in the second half with more aggression and forced four penalty corners. Skipper Asunta Lakra, with Kirandeep Kaur and Deepika alongside her in the midfield, engineered good use of open space to propel the Indian forwards into the Azerbaijan striking circle.
India scored the second goal when Soundarya Yendala got the final touch from an indirect penalty corner while Joydeep Kaur rounded off the tally with a crashing set piece 11 minutes later to put India 1-0 up in the series.
India play their second match against Azerbaijan on Monday.
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