Kazakhstan booked a place in the second
round of the World League when they defeated Singapore 5-1 at the Kuantan
Hockey Stadium.
It was a much better performance from Kazakhstan who
made use of their experience and utilised the chances to register a convincing
win despite a hesistant start.
They almost took the lead in the 15th
minute through a penalty corner when Vera Domashneva whose attempt went
narrowly past the post.
However Kazakhstan were not to be denied as they
opened scoring in the 18th minute through Gulnara Imangaliyeva.
But Singapore were undeterred and found the equaliser
in the 31st minute through O Ming Fen whose penalty corner hit was
deflected into goal by Kazakhstan defender.
hree minutes into the scond half Natalya Gataulina
weaved past three defenders before slotting the ball past Singaporean custodian
Cookie Tan Koon Kim to give Kazakhstan a 2-1 lead.
Natalya scored a superb third goal for Kazakhstan,
sending in a reverse stick flick sailing into goal from the edge of the semi
circle.
Gulnara then added a fourth goal in the 54th
minute, before Vera made it 5-1 in the 65th minute and Kazakhstan
were well on the way to the second round.
