New Delhi: The Indian women's hockey team notched up a facile 4-1 win over Ireland to clinch the bronze medal in the four-nation tournament held in Parana, Argentina.
Both the teams were locked 1-1 at half time but India came back strongly in the second session to fire three goals.
The goal scorers for India were Jaspreet Kaur (penalty corner 7th min), Anuradha Thokchom (58th min), Vandana Katariya (68th min) and Ritu Rani (penalty corner 70th min), while Aine Connery (7th min) sounded the board for Ireland.
Ireland took an early lead in the seventh minute with the lone goal scored by Connery after a defensive lapse by the Indians.
India restored parity when Kaur found the target from a penalty corner in the 26th minute after an Irish defender obstructed Vandana Katariya in the striking circle.
India dominated the proceedings in the second half and exhibited their flair as they mounted attacks with regular monotony.
Goalkeeper Yogita Bali and deep defenders Pinky Thokchom, Kaur and Preety Sunila Kiro stood tall and thwarted all moves by the Irish attackers. Anuradha Thokchom put India ahead in the 58th minute when she beat Ireland custodian Emma Gray with a deflection from a right flank cross.
Katariya increased the lead to 3-1 in the 68th minute when she found the mark after Ritu Rani and Asunta Lakra combined a midfield manoeuvre. India rounded off the tally at the death with Preety Sunila Kiro scoring from a penalty corner variation.
The team will return from Argentina on Wednesday. World champions Argentina beat South Africa 2-0 in the final to win the tournament.
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