Russia in sight of semis berth

Our Correspondent

Russia took a giant step towards making it to the semi-finals of the women's World Cup hockey qualifier when they routed Malaysia 8-1 in a Pool B match in Abbeville, France, on Monday.

The victory, their third from four matches, gave the Russians 10 points and put them on top of the pool along with Japan.

Malaysia are at the bottom of the seven-team Pool B without a point after four matches.

Ekaterina Rastorgueva led the goal-glut for Russia with goals in the 33rd, 45th and 64th minutes.

Natalia Kravtchenko (20th minute), Natalie Dobrokhotova (26th), Marina Tchegourdaeva (31st) and Elena Polovkova (62nd and 69th minutes) were the other scorers.

Norsaliza Ahmad Soobni got Malaysia's consolation goal in the seventh minute.

In another match in the same pool, Lithuania beat Belgium 3-0 after leading by two goals at the breather.

Dalia Petrutyte (20th minute), Jurate Zvinklyte (32nd) and Aurelija Kubilinskiene (55th) were the scorers.

Women's World Cup qualifier - The Complete coverage