Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team Triumphs Over Ireland with 4-0 Victory

India Dominates Ireland in FIH Junior Women's World Cup

Santiago [Chile], December 5: The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team achieved a resounding 4-0 victory against Ireland in their concluding Pool C match of the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup, held at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Cesped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago on Friday.

Purnima Yadav (42', 58'), Kanika Siwach (12'), and Sakshi Rana (57') were the goal scorers for India, as reported by Hockey India.

India started the match with a strong offensive approach, earning a Penalty Corner within the first 12 seconds, although they failed to convert it. They maintained pressure, winning another Penalty Corner in the tenth minute, which also went unused.

Two minutes later, Sakshi Rana delivered a precise pass to Kanika Siwach (12'), who skillfully maneuvered around the advancing Irish goalkeeper to score the opening goal.

Continuing their momentum, India earned two more Penalty Corners in the 17th and 23rd minutes, but Ireland's goalkeeper, Lucy McGoldrick, made impressive saves to keep her team in the game.

Ireland's first scoring opportunity came in the 24th minute, but the Indian goalkeeper was alert and made the save. As the second quarter neared its end, India secured their fifth Penalty Corner in the 28th minute, yet they could not extend their lead, finishing the first half with a single goal advantage.

In the third quarter, India maintained possession and effectively stretched the Irish defense, controlling the game's pace. In the 40th minute, Manisha delivered a clever pass to Sukhveer Kaur, whose shot narrowly missed the target.

In the 42nd minute, India earned another Penalty Corner, which they converted successfully as Sakshi Shukla assisted Purnima Yadav (42'), who deftly redirected the ball into the net, increasing India's lead.

The final quarter saw Ireland attempt to rally, with Eabha Curran breaking through on goal, but her shot was thwarted by a timely block from Nandini. India then scored two quick goals in the 57th and 58th minutes to solidify their victory.

Sakhi Rana (57') displayed remarkable skill from the left side, maneuvering past defenders to unleash a powerful shot that found the bottom corner of the net.

Purnima Yadav (58') followed up with her second goal, skillfully lifting the ball over the goalkeeper into the net, marking India's fourth and final goal of the match.