Tour of Chile: Indian junior women’s hockey team beat Chile senior team 3-2
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Indian junior forward Lalrindiki
In an exemplary outing, the Indian junior women’s hockey team beat Chile’s senior team 3-2 in their ongoing tour of Chile at the Prince of Wales Country Club on Wednesday. The national team previously played the hosts’ junior team in the first two matches of the tour.
The first quarter was rather quiet for both the teams as India started on the front foot. The girls penetrated Chile’s striking circle twice however without causing much damage. Chile’s first real attack came when they earned a penalty corner in the 10th minute. But it was a lost opportunity as the visitors defended it well.
The second quarter was dominated by the Chileans as their experienced players took charge of the mid-field setting the tempo of the match. As a result, the hosts earned themselves back-to-back penalty corners. Second of which resulted in an opening goal for the team. India’s young guns tried to create clear-cut opportunities in the latter stages of the quarter but Chile took their one-goal lead into the half time break.
India’s efforts culminated in a victory
With a dominating start to the third quarter, India won as many as five penalty corners in the first nine minutes. Their dedication was rewarded as Deepika finished off a team move to score the equalizer.
India kept piling the pressure on their opponents as they took control of the proceedings. The team took a lead through a penalty corner. Mariana Kujur‘s drag-flick was deflected into the back of the net by striker Sangita Kumari to make it 2-1 in India’s favour.
In the fourth quarter the Indian girls maintained the pressure on the hosts by looking to create more opportunities. Their efforts were once again rewarded as forward Lalrindiki found herself clear just in front of goal to deflect Sangita Kumari’s pass from the left flank into Chile’s goal. Her incredible effort earned India a resounding 3-1 lead. Chile scored their second goal in late fightback in the 56th minute but their hard work didn’t come to fruition as they fell short by one goal. India took away the astounding victory.
The national team will once again take on the senior Chile team in their fourth match in their ongoing tour of Chile on Thursday (locally)/ Friday (IST).
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Ira Deokule
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