Junior Women's Hockey WC: India looks to recreate 2013 magic against England in bronze-medal match

India had a memorable campaign in the tournament till the semifinals, where the girls lost 0-3 to three-time champions, the Netherlands.

Published : Apr 11, 2022 15:00 IST , Potchefstroom, South Africa

Three-time champion, the Netherlands beat India 3-0 in the FIH Junior Women's World Cup semifinal in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.
Three-time champion, the Netherlands beat India 3-0 in the FIH Junior Women's World Cup semifinal in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.
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Three-time champion, the Netherlands beat India 3-0 in the FIH Junior Women's World Cup semifinal in Potchefstroom, South Africa on Sunday.

With its dream of winning a maiden FIH Junior Women's Hockey World Cup title shattered, India seeks to match its best-ever third place finish when it takes on England in the bronze medal clash on Tuesday.

India had a memorable campaign in the tournament till the semifinals, where the girls lost 0-3 to three-time champions, the Netherlands.

India had an unbeaten run in the pool stages, which included a 2-1 win over Germany, which will face the Dutch in the title clash.

But the title chance now out of their grasp, the Indians would look to at least finish on the podium, like they did in the 2013 edition in Monchengladbach, Germany.

Back in the 2013 Women's Junior World Cup, it was the Netherlands which had defeated India 3-0 in the semifinals and the Indian team, led by Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam, then had faced England in the bronze medal tie, which it eventually won after a tense shootout.

But it remains to be seen whether the Salima Tete - led side can recreate the 2013 script on Tuesday.

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Tete was visibly disappointed with the team's effort against the Netherlands.

"We are quite disappointed from our match against Netherlands. We created so many chances but could not convert. It just felt like it wasn't our day," she said.

But the skipper said the semifinal is a thing of the past now.

"There is no point thinking about what's happened in the past. Now we need to be focused on the upcoming match against England.

"Getting off to a good start against them will definitely give us the right momentum and that is what we will be looking for against them," Tete said.

India will be banking heavily on Lalremsiami, Sharmila Devi and Mumtaz Khan, who is also India's top-scorer with six goals, to deliver the goods upfront.

England, on the other hand, will be low on confidence after the 0-8 drubbing at the hands of Germany in the semifinal.

But vice-captain Ishika Chaudhary reiterated that India can't afford to let go of chances against England.

"England is a good side and we watched videos from their previous matches. I just feel it is important for us to be focused on our game and ensure we score from the chances we create and be tight in our defending.

"It's important we don't allow space for them and we must play to our strengths," said Chaudhary.

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