Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup: India blanks Ireland 4-0
Purnima Yadav hit a brace to lead India to a dominant 4-0 victory over Ireland in its final Pool C match at the FIH Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup here on Friday.
Purnima (42’,58’), Kanika Siwach (12’) and Sakshi Rana (57’) scored the goals for India at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional in Santiago.
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. The side continued to pile on the pressure, winning its second penalty corner in the 10th minute but the chance was squandered again.
However, two minutes later, Sakshi played the perfect pass to Kanika inside the circle, who skillfully went around the charging Irish goalkeeper and slotted the ball into an open net to break the deadlock.
India pressed on winning two consecutive penalty corners in the 17th and 23rd minute respectively but Ireland’s goalkeeper Lucy McGoldrick made two strong saves to protect her goal.
The third quarter saw India hold the ball more and stretch the Irish defence as it continued to control the tempo of the game.
In the 42nd minute, India won another penalty corner, which was perfectly converted. Sakshi Shukla played a strong pass to Purnima Yadav in front of goal as she deflected the ball into the net to extend India’s lead.
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 perfectly timed block by Nandini.
In the 57th and the 58th minute, India scored back-to-back goals to settle the game. First, Sakshi showcased incredible skills from the left flank as she went past the defenders and took a powerful shot beating the goalkeeper and finding the bottom corner of the goal post. This was followed by Purnima’s second goal of the match as she did well to calmly deflect the ball over the goalkeeper and into the net.
Published on Dec 05, 2025