India’s women’s hockey team’s dream of winning the Junior World Cup was shattered. The Indian team lost 0-3 to three-time champions of the Netherlands in the semi-finals played on Sunday. India’s best performance is to win the bronze medal. India did this feat in 2013.
For the Netherlands, Tessa Beetsma (12th minute), Luna Focke (53rd), and Zip Dicke (54th) scored field goals to secure their fourth consecutive final. Initially, Indian women dominated, but could not succeed to score the goal.
India dominated initially but failed in making a score
The Indian team initially tried to build pressure. At the beginning of the match, Mumtaz Khan, India’s highest goal scorer, tried to score a goal near captain Salima Tete, but she failed. Her shot hit the goal post. In the opening quarter, the Indian players got 3 penalty corners but could not convert them into a goal.
Beetsma scored the first goal for the Netherlands
Netherland’s star player Beetsma scored the first goal for her team. She scored in the 12th minute of the match to give the team a 1-0 lead.
After halftime, the Netherlands team completely dominated in the third quarter. The aggressive play of the team kept the Indian defense under pressure.
The Indian team kept looking for a chance to score, but it did not succeed. In the fourth quarter, Focke scored a reverse shot on a brilliant pass from Noor Omrani to give Niedelland a 2-0 lead. At the same time, Zip Dicke scored a goal and gave the team a 3-0 win.
India’s dream of playing the final is over
With the big loss in the semi-finals, India’s dream of playing in the final of the Junior World Cup is over now. India had played well throughout the league.
But it is the nature of the tournament, knock out matches do not give the opportunity to come back to the league. India can take many positives from the world cup.
Young players have shown good temperament across the tournament and we can definitely say that Indian soil is completely saturated with the talent. Especially women’s hockey will make us proud again and again.