India has kept their hopes alive for finishing among the top 10 teams after achieving a big win in their fourth match of the ongoing FIH Junior Women’s World Cup 2025. The Indian women’s team defeated Wales by 3-1 in the 9/16 classification match on Monday, December 8, held at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago, Chile.
The Indian team saw goals from Hina Bano (14’), Sunelita Toppo (24’), and Ishika (31’), while the only goal for Wales was scored by Eloise Moat (52’).
Within 30 seconds after entering the game, India got their first penalty corner, and they were creating and looking for opportunities in regular intervals, but could not find a goal to score. Meanwhile, Wales got the chance to strike with a penalty stroke but was denied by the goalkeeper Nidhi.
For India, the breakthrough came at the end of the first quarter with Bano giving a tap-in after a build-up play from Sakhi Rana. In the second quarter, the team gets another penalty corner and an open opportunity to score ahead. Toppo attempted a goal from close range, from Rana, who was going for the initial shot. India had 14 circle penetrations and ended the halftime at 2-0.
The third goal soon resulted in the second half, with Ishika finding her chance at the back of the net after getting a rebound from the Welsh goalkeeper. India got the lead at 3-0.
India’s captain Jyoti Singh maintained the momentum and remained disciplined and compact in their gameplay. They keep playing between the lines and by pressing high against the Welsh defence. In the third quarter, they tried their best to dominate and keep their opponent away from scoring any goals, and they managed it well.
However, Wales managed to get an opening through Eloise and added a goal to the score. But that wasn’t enough to win against India, who ended the match at 3-1, claiming a deserving victory.
Meanwhile, India will play their next match against Uruguay in the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup, which is scheduled on Tuesday. India finished in second place after completing the group stage match and missed out on a chance to qualify for the quarter-finals.
They are behind Germany, which is currently in the lead in Pool C. In total, six team winners from each pool and two second-best teams will qualify for the top 8.
