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Indian eves launched their campaign in the Champions Challenge hockey tournament with a comfortable 3-0 victory over Wales in a Group-A match in Dublin on Saturday.
Displaying a fast-paced game, the Indian forged ahead to a 2-0 lead before the interval and then struck one more goal just before the hooter to earn three points.The 27th-ranked Welsh, coming straight from their World League Round One tournament, put in a valiant effort against the 12th ranked Indian but failed to score any goals despite breaking through the defence a few times.
A ten-minute span in the first half ultimately made the difference in the game for India. During the span, India dominated the action, scoring two goals to take a convincing lead.
Captain Ritu Rani struck the first goal in the 18th minute and then Lily Chanu Mayengbam put in a penalty corner goal with a solid shot to double the lead ten minutes later.
Soundarya Yendala converted a penalty corner in the 70th minute to complete the tally for the Indians.
Wales fought hard to chip away at the lead, but India's defense stood its ground in the second half and held the Welsh goalless.