Indian girls stun Spain to reach maiden Junior Hockey WC semifinals

It was the Spanish girls who struck first through Gine,converting a penalty corner in the seventh minute. India equalised just three minutes later through a field effort from Monika.

Spain restored their lead just five minutes from the lemon break through Bonastra before Navneet restored parity for India with an outstanding reverse stick shot in the dying minutes of the opening half.

India took the initiative after the change of ends and surged ahead in the 41st minute when Katariya converted a penalty corner. Seven minutes later Rani extended India’s lead to 4-2.

With 22 minutes still remaining in the game,Spain had plenty of time to forge a comeback and they put pressure on the Indian defence with numerous raids. The Indian backline though stood firm to deny their opponents.

India will take on the winners of the quarterfinal between Netherlands and South Africa in the semifinal on Friday.

Success mantra

MEANWHILE,India’s chief coach Neil Hawgood has attributed the women’s team’s success in the ongoing Junior Hockey World Cup to the experience his wards have attained while playing at the senior level. India fielded more or less the same team,which came a cropper in the FIH World League Round 3 in Rotterdam in June. Hawgood said the experience of playing at the senior level worked wonders for the junior girls.

“The success has come from all the big losses as we have been beaten by top teams in World League Round 3. Now,the senior level experience has helped the girls here at the Junior World Cup,” a jubilant Hawgood said after India defeated Spain 4-2 to earn their maiden semifinal place in the event. “The girls were a bit nervous at the beginning but they showed character and continued to work for 70 minutes,” said the Australian.

India captain Sushila Chanu feels the key to success was team spirit. “The key was scoring and team spirit. We decided to win this match and played fast throughout the whole game. We are very excited now as we have never reached the semifinals before. Of course,we would love to qualify for the final as well,” she said.

Striker Rani,who scored India’s last goal against Spain,added: “This is amazing. It is a great day for Indian hockey. I knew that we will win today if we keep up the pressure.”