Women's FIH Junior World Cup 2023: India finish ninth after beating USA 3-2 in shootout

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India U-21 women's hockey team finished ninth in the Women's FIH Junior World Cup 2023 after beating USA 3-2 in a thrilling shootout in Santiago, Chile on early hours of Saturday morning (December 10). Indian goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo was the star performer with crucial saves in the shootout.

Interestingly, Khushboo Khan has been the first-choice goalkeeper for coach Tushar Khandker throughout the Women's FIH Junior Word Cup 2023 but Kindo was used as a shootout specialist. She won the game in a shootout in the earlier classification match against New Zealand.

As far as Saturday's match is concerned, both India and the USA displayed tremendous grit as the match ended at 2-2 in regulation time. During the allocated 60 minutes, India's Manju Chorsiya (11') and Sunelita Toppo (57') scored a goal each, while Kiersten Thomassey (27', 53') netted a brace for the USA.

The tense penalty shootout witnessed Mumtaz Khan and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal successfully converting their chances for India, while the latter also scored in sudden death to secure the win for India.

On the opposing side, Katie Dixon and Olivia Bent-Cole managed to score for the USA in the penalty shoot-out. India dominated the start, pressing the USA relentlessly and penetrating their defense multiple times.

Chorsiya's perfectly placed goal from the first penalty corner gave India a well-deserved lead in the game. Buoyed by this advantage, India maintained aggressive play, keeping the USA under constant pressure.

However, the USA still managed to win a penalty corner in the very last minute of the quarter but failed to capitalise on that as the opening quarter concluded with India leading 1-0.

Aiming to retain their lead in the second quarter, India focused on ball possession while consistently penetrating the USA's circle. Despite their efforts, the USA defended solidly, thwarting India's attempts to widen the gap while launching counter-attacks themselves.

This tactic proved effective when Thomassey's precise strike levelled the score, showcasing the USA's resilience. India launched a barrage of attacks in the third quarter, relentlessly pressuring the USA's defense. Despite several near misses, including from a penalty corner, India couldn't convert their opportunities into goals as the 1-1 deadlock continued.

At the start of the fourth quarter, India earned an early penalty corner, yet their efforts to convert it fell short. It was the USA who seized the opportunity against the run of play, as Thomassey netted her second goal, putting her team in the lead.

With time slipping away and the score against them, India escalated their offensive efforts. Their determination paid off when Toppo levelled the score with a brilliantly placed shot from a penalty corner, bringing them back into contention.

-With inputs from PTI