India claimed a superb 2-1 victory against tournament favourites Germany today (Sunday, 3 April) to book their spot in the quarter-finals of the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in Potch. This pool D clash was one of the matches of tournament thus far with both sides playing great hockey in this tight encounter.
Photos: Wouter Pienaar
India got the first goal after only a minute when Lairemsiami scored from a penalty corner. India’s ladies doubled the lead in the second quarter when Mumtaz Khan slotted in from close range to send her team all smiles into the half-time break.
Germany knew that their back where against the wall and kept attacking but India’s defence and superb goalkeeper, Bichu Kharibam, kept them scoreless until the fourth quarter.
Germany eventually got a goal thanks to a piece of individual brilliance from Jule Bleuel in the 56th minute, but it was a little too late as India held on for a famous win.
Other results today saw Wales and Malaysia play to a 3-3 draw in pool D. Austria and Uruguay (15:30) as well as Korea and Argentina (17:00) are in pool C action today.
The Netherlands has also dominated Pool A, scoring 20 goals and conceding none in their two games thus far. Argentina has also been impressive, as have England.
*Tomorrow sees South Africa take on Ireland at 11:00 in a must win encounter for the Protea junior ladies. A win will see them reach the quarter-finals whilst a loss will see them battle for positional spots in the tournament.
