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Indian women in Champions Challenge hockey final

June 27, 2009 12:39 IST

India entered the final of the FIH women's Champions Challenge II after goals from Rani Rampal and Saba Anjum fashioned a 2-1 victory over Ukraine in Kazan on Friday.

Rani and Saba struck in the first half as India went into the breather with a 2-0 lead.

In Saturday's title clash, India will meet Belgium, who beat Ireland 3-1 in th e second semi-final later.

The team, led by Surinder Kaur, struck as early as the sixth minute through Rani's field goal before the Ukrainian defence had settled down.

Even though the Indians mounted repeated attacks, the Ukrainian defence withstood the onslaught till the 24th minute when Saba sounded the board to give India a 2-0 cushion at the lemon break.

After the breather the idea was to protect the lead as India concentrated more on thwarting the occasional attacks from their opponents.

The Indian fortress finally crumbled in the 44th minute with Nataliya Vasyukova reducing the margin.