Santiago, Chile, 8 December (H.S.): India’s junior women’s hockey team showcased an authoritative performance, defeating Wales 3-1 in the 9th to 16th place qualification match of the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup 2025. The fiercely contested match took place on Monday at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Cesped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago.Goals from Hina Bano in the 14th minute, Sunelita Toppo in the 24th, and Ishika in the 31st carved out a commanding lead for India, while Wales’ lone goal came from Eloise Moet in the 52nd minute.

India asserted dominance from the outset, earning a penalty corner within the first 30 seconds. Despite early pressure, the scoreboard remained unchanged as Wales earned a penalty stroke, expertly saved by Indian goalkeeper Nidhi, preserving India’s clean sheet.In the dying seconds of the first quarter, a brilliant move by Sakshi Rana set up Hina Bano for a simple tap-in to give India the lead.

Momentum remained with India in the second quarter as Sunelita Toppo converted a rebound from Sakshi Rana’s shot, extending the lead to 2-0. India amassed 14 circle entries in the first half, reflecting their offensive control.

Early in the second half, India netted the third goal; Ishika capitalized on a rebound from the Welsh goalkeeper to find the back of the net. Under coach Jyoti Singh’s guidance, the Indian side maintained their composure and pressed aggressively, pushing back Wales’ defense.Although Eloise Moet scored a consolation goal for Wales in the final quarter, India maintained their grip on the match, closing out a convincing 3-1 victory.

India’s junior women’s team will next face Uruguay on December 9, aiming to build on their positive momentum.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar