After a tricky struggle, India received the shootout and completed ninth at the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023. The United States completed tenth. Photo: X/@FIH_Hockey
Goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo shone beneath the bar as India displayed exceptional resilience to eke out a 3-2 win over USA in sudden demise to finish ninth at the Junior Women’s hockey World Cup in Santiago.
In an exhilarating classification match, each India and USA displayed super grit because the match ended at 2-2 in regulation time. Kindo then produced an incredible save in sudden demise, whereas Rutaja Dadaso Pisal calmly transformed her shot to lead India to victory.
During the allotted 60 minutes, India’s Manju Chorsiya (11’) and Sunelita Toppo (57’) scored a objective every, whereas Kiersten Thomassey (27’, 53’) netted a brace for the USA.
The tense penalty shootout witnessed Mumtaz Khan and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal efficiently changing their probabilities for India, whereas the latter additionally scored in sudden demise to safe the win for India.
On the opposing facet, Katie Dixon and Olivia Bent-Cole managed to rating for the USA within the penalty shoot-out.
India dominated the beginning, urgent the USA relentlessly and penetrating their protection a number of occasions.
Chorsiya’s completely positioned objective from the primary penalty nook gave India a well-deserved lead within the sport. Buoyed by this benefit, India maintained aggressive play, holding the USA beneath fixed strain.
However, the USA nonetheless managed to win a penalty nook within the final minute of the quarter however failed to capitalise on that because the opening quarter concluded with India main 1-0.
Aiming to retain their lead within the second quarter, India centered on ball possession whereas constantly penetrating the USA’s circle. Despite their efforts, the USA defended solidly, thwarting India’s makes an attempt to widen the hole whereas launching counter-attacks themselves.
This tactic proved efficient when Thomassey’s exact strike levelled the rating, showcasing the USA’s resilience.
India launched a barrage of assaults within the third quarter, relentlessly pressuring the USA’s protection. Despite a number of close to misses, together with from a penalty nook, India could not convert their alternatives into objectives because the 1-1 impasse continued.
At the beginning of the fourth quarter, India earned an early penalty nook, but their efforts to convert it fell quick.
It was the USA who seized the chance towards the run of play, as Thomassey netted her second objective, placing her staff within the lead.
With time slipping away and the rating towards them, India escalated their offensive efforts. Their willpower paid off when Toppo levelled the rating with a brilliantly positioned shot from a penalty nook, bringing them again into competition.
