Melbourne: Title holders India clinched their maiden victory decimating a hapless Nigeria 8-0 in the league stage of the women's hockey competition at the XVIII Commonwealth Games on Monday.
Maintaining their stranglehold throughout the Group one match, India opened a 5-0 lead at the breather and pumped in three more in the second session to improve their chances of reaching the semi-final.
Mamta Kharb and Jasjeet Handa scored two goals each, while Jyoti Kullu, Sangai Maimon, Saba Anjum and Sarita Lakra chipped in with one apiece as India raised their points tally to four from three outings.
The Indian girls had started their campaign with a 2-4 loss to formidable Australia before holding South Africa 2-2 on Saturday.
However, the Indians still face an uphill battle with tournament's surprise package Malaysia upsetting South Africa 2-1 in the day's opening encounter.
Malaysia now occupy the second spot with six points from three matches and India is now placed a rung below on the league table.
They are in a must win situation when they take on the fellow Asian nation in a crucial battle on Tuesday for the second semi-final berth from the group.
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