admin The Indian Junior women’s hockey team won their fourth game of FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 by beating New Zealand 3-2 in sudden death in a penalty shootout after the match ended 3-3 during regular time.
In the allotted 60 minutes, Ropni Kumari (8’), Jyoti Chhatri (17’), and Sunelita Toppo (53’) scored a goal each for India, while Isabella Story (11’), Madeline Harris (14’), and Riana Pho (49’) netted goals for New Zealand.
Based on the reports attained of the sport, in the penalty shootout, Sakshi Rana and Preeti were able to convert their chances for India, while Mumtaz Khan, scored in sudden death. On the other hand, New Zealand’s Hannah Cotter and Riana Pho converted their shots in the penalty shootout.
It is observed that India has commenced the game with a commanding presence, constantly pressuring New Zealand’s defense and swiftly entering their territory. India, although were faced with counter-attacks from New Zealand, maintained their momentum, securing an early lead through Ropani Kumari’s successful conversion of the initial penalty corner.
New Zealand didn’t lose hope and swiftly turned the tables. Isabella Story (11’) leveled the score with a penalty corner goal, following which Madeline Harris (14’) scored a field goal to put New Zealand ahead as the first quarter concluded 2-1 in their favor.
Not backing down, India adopted an aggressive approach in the second quarter, yielding immediate results as Jyoti Chhatri (17’) netted a field goal through a calm finish, putting India back on level terms. Post equalizing, India strategically shifted their focus to maintaining possession, making it challenging for New Zealand to create scoring opportunities. No more goals were scored in the second quarter as both teams entered the half-time break with score levelled at 2-2.
India persisted with relentless attacks, eventually finding the equalizer through injector Sunelita Toppo (53’) who scored via a penalty corner. With just seven minutes remaining and the score level, both teams aggressively pursued the winning goal but failed to break the deadlock, concluding the match at 3-3 and leading to a penalty shootout, in which India failed to convert their opening two shots but the team’s goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo made four back-to-back brilliant saves to help her side bounce back and register a 3-2 victory in sudden death in the penalty shootout.
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