Skipper Saba Anjum led from the front, scoring three goals, as India [ Images ] thrashed Azerbaijan 6-1 and advanced to the quarter-finals of the FIH Women's Champions Challenge I hockey tournament in Dublin, Ireland.

India led 5-0 at half-time, in their last Pool B round-robin fixture.

Saba (4th, 7th and 32nd minute) converted three penalty-corners while Deepika Thakur (10th), Rani Rampal (18th) and Jasjit Kaur Handa (52nd) scored a goal each.

For Azerbaijan, Khatira Aliyeva scored the lone goal from a penalty-corner in the 47th minute.

India finished second in the pool, behind Ireland, and will now play Japan [ Images ] in the last eight round on Thursday.

India had earlier lost to Ireland 1-2 in their tournament opener before drawing 1-1 with Spain in their next pool fixture.