Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup: Sakshi Rana’s solo strike the highlight in India’s 4-0 win against Ireland, but quarterfinal chances bleak

India know their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals are bleak despite winning two of the three matches in their group.

India will have to wait for the rest of the day – or even longer – as the group-stage matches wind down, to see if they can sneak in as one of the two best second-placed teams but it appears unlikely. (Photo Credit: Hockey India)

Scorers: Purnima Yadav (42′,58′), Kanika Siwach (12’) and Sakshi Rana (57′)

In India’s 4-0 win against Ireland at in their final Pool C match of the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup, the highlight was Sakshi Rana – who has already made her senior debut on the back of a impressive Hockey India League season – as she lifted the ball from the turf down the left channel, dribbled into the circle, cut in and unleashed a fine low strike. But the reaction after the goal was telling – there was barely a hint of celebration, despite the scoreline reading 3-0. Because, India know their chances of progressing to the quarterfinals are bleak despite winning two of the three matches in their group.

India will have to wait for the rest of the day – or even longer – as the group-stage matches wind down, to see if they can sneak in as one of the two best second-placed teams but it appears unlikely. They did, however, complete their part of the equation at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago on Friday. Purnima Yadav (42′,58′), Kanika Siwach (12’) and Sakshi (57′) scored the goals for India.

India made a bright start in the first quarter and showed great attacking intent, winning an early Penalty Corner in the first 12 seconds of the match, however, their attempt didn’t reach the goal post. India continued to pile on the pressure winning their second Penalty Corner in the tenth minute but the chance was squandered again. However, two minutes later, Sakshi was the provider, as she played the perfect pass to Kanika inside the circle, who went around the charging Irish goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an open net to break the deadlock.

However, India’s attacking moves lacked cohesion as they failed to convert the early goal into a bigger lead. It would only be in the 42nd minute that they’d score again as Sakshi Shukla recycled well from a mistrapped PC to find Purnima in front of goal as she deflected the ball into the net.

The fourth quarter saw Ireland fight back as Eabha Curran was through on goal and took a shot towards the bottom right corner of the post however, her attempt was stopped by a superb stick block by Nandini. In the 57th and the 58th minute, India scored back-to-back goals to further build on their lead. First was Sakshi’s fine use of 3D skills from the left flank. This was followed by Purnima’s second goal of the match as she did well to calmly deflect the ball over the goalkeeper.