The Indian junior women’s hockey team began its campaign in the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup with a comprehensive 13-0 win against Namibia at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago on Monday.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Hina Bano (35’, 35’, 45’) and Kanika Siwach (12’, 30’, 45’) scored hat-tricks, while Sakshi Rana (10’, 23’) bagged a brace. Binima Dhan (14’), Sonam (14’), Sakshi Shukla (27’), Ishika (36’), and Manisha (60’) also got on the scoresheet. With this win, India climbed to the top of the table.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India sprang into action from the start, registering their first shot on target and forcing a save out of the Namibia keeper in the opening thirty seconds of this contest. They remained on the front foot in search of a goal, earning a Penalty Corner with close to six minutes to go in the first quarter.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
They eventually made the early pressure count and bagged four goals in as many minutes to take control of the game. Sakshi Rana (10’) opened the scoring with a brilliant reverse flick, and Kanika Siwach (12’) soon doubled their lead with a powerful finish. Binima Dhan (14’) added a third with a sharp run and finish, while Sonam (14’) scored a fourth after some neat interplay in the buildup, giving India a 4-0 lead after the opening fifteen minutes.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
With a healthy lead, India continued to dominate as Sakshi Rana (23’) scored her second with a superb run that was finished off with a thunderous strike. Namibia showed some aggression to look for an opening, but were constantly kept at bay by the Indian midfielders' dominating position. India then added a sixth as Sakshi Shukla (27’) converted her dragflick from a Penalty Corner. Kanika Siwach (30’) also scored her second goal at the stroke of half-time, extending India’s lead to 7-0.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India were firmly in control and continued to stay on top to open the second half. Hina Bano (35’) scored her first goal in the tournament with a ferocious strike into the top corner. She soon added another within a minute, capitalising on a loose restart from Namibia. Ishika (36’) added a tenth after a rebound fell her way from a Penalty Corner, further cementing India’s supremacy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
Another favourable deflection from a Penalty Corner fell Hina Bano’s way (45’) as she completed her hat-trick. Kanika Siwach (45’) also registered her third goal from a Penalty Corner, establishing a 12-0 lead for India after three quarters.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India were firmly in control and continued to stay on top to open the second half. Hina Bano (35’) scored her first goal in the tournament with a ferocious strike into the top corner. She soon added another within a minute, capitalising on a loose restart from Namibia. Ishika (36’) added a tenth after a rebound fell her way from a Penalty Corner, further cementing India’s supremacy.<\/p>\r\n\r\n
India will next play Germany on December 3 at 1945 hours IST.<\/p>\r\n\r\n