India's Junior Women's Hockey Team concluded their Pool C campaign in spectacular fashion, registering a commanding 4-0 victory against Ireland at the FIH Junior Women's Hockey World Cup. The match, held at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Cesped in Santiago's Estadio Nacional, saw goals from Purnima Yadav (2), Kanika Siwach, and Sakshi Rana, sealing a top-notch performance.
Early Pressure and Breakthrough
The Indian side signalled their aggressive intent right from the starting whistle. They earned a penalty corner within the first 12 seconds of the game, though the opportunity went unconverted. A second penalty corner in the tenth minute also failed to yield a goal. However, the persistent offensive pressure finally bore fruit in the 12th minute.
Kanika Siwach broke the deadlock with a well-executed field goal. She received a precise pass from Sakshi Rana, deftly manoeuvred past the Irish goalkeeper, and slotted the ball into an open net to give India a deserved lead. The team continued to dominate, earning two more penalty corners in the 17th and 23rd minutes, but Irish goalkeeper Lucy McGoldrick stood firm with impressive saves.
Solid Defence and Expanding the Lead
Ireland's first notable attempt came in the 24th minute, but it was effectively thwarted by the Indian goalkeeper. The first half concluded with India leading 1-0, despite having earned five penalty corners. The third quarter saw India maintain firm control of possession, constantly testing the Irish defence.
The lead was doubled in the 42nd minute when Purnima Yadav expertly converted a penalty corner. She deflected a powerful injection from Sakshi Shukla into the net, showcasing excellent positioning and skill. India's defence remained resolute, with Nandini making a crucial block in the fourth quarter to deny Eabha Curran's attempt aimed at the bottom-right corner.
A Flourishing Finish
The final minutes of the match witnessed a flurry of goals from the Indian team, putting the result beyond any doubt. In the 57th minute, Sakshi Rana displayed individual brilliance, weaving past defenders and unleashing a powerful shot into the bottom corner to make it 3-0.
Purnima Yadav then put the finishing touch on a perfect performance, scoring her second goal of the night just a minute later in the 58th minute. She skilfully deflected the ball over the onrushing goalkeeper to complete the 4-0 rout. This comprehensive victory showcases the team's strong form as they progress in the tournament, built on a foundation of attacking flair and defensive solidity.
