India had a dream start as it secured a thrashing victory against Canada in the opening match of FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup. 12-0 was the margin of victory, as India did not even give sniff of a chance to Canada in their first game played in Santiago Chile.
India’s heroes in this emphatic win were Annu (4′, 6′, 39′), Dipi Monika Toppo (21′), Mumtaz Khan (26′, 41,’ 54.’ 60′). Deepika Soreng (34′, 50, 54′), Neelam (45′). These players consistently maintained pressure on Canada and played with an attacking instinct. In fact, India played only on one gear and managed to secure a quick goal courtesy of Annu (4′, 6) through penalty corners.
Despite scoring those two early goals, India did not take the foot of the pedal as it continued to play aggressively. While India could score only 2 goals in the first quarter, it gave a clear warning to Canada. In the second quarter, India scored two more goals – one each from Monika Toppo (21) and Mumtaz Khan (26). The only chance Canada got was a penalty corner but failed to make the most out of it.
India make a massive statement in their opening FIH Hockey Women’s WC
By the end of the second quarter, India had a 4-0 lead and were comfortably placed to just play a defensive style of hockey. India though chose to counterattack and scored 4 more goals in the third quarter and 4 more in the fourth quarter. Annu heralded the third quarter by scoring a hat trick. While Deepika Soreng and Mumtaz Khan hogged the limelight in the fourth quarter.
With momentum on their side, India will next take on Germany in their second match on December 1.
Editors pick
