The Indian women's team touring China breezed past Century Park Football Club 4-2 in a friendly here Saturday.
Striker Bala Devi notched up a hat-trick and midfielder Premi Devi added another as India dominated their opponents from start to finish.
Bala, who delivered a glut of goals in the nationals, pulled away from the hosts in the sixth minute, running 20 yards to get on the end of a delightful move from the left flank. The tall Manipuri striker then hoodwinked her marker to slam home with the goalkeeper in position to thwart the powerful effort.
The second goal came four minutes later, this time Bala racing past three defenders to finally round off the goalkeeper and guide the ball into the back of the net. With Bala in sublime form, the rest of the team looked in fine condition too.
Four minutes past the half hour mark, Prameshwori slid in Bala and she on this day could do nothing wrong. It was 3-0 and the opponents were already looking for cover.
Post the breather, it was the same story as Premi Devi got on the scoresheet with a clinical strike from 25 yards. The hosts pulled two back in the 60th and 72nd minutes but the India rear guard showed solidarity in the dying minutes to not let the cushion plummet further.
