The 2022 Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup is the ninth edition of the Women’s FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, the biennial women’s under-21 field hockey world championship organized by the International Hockey Federation.
On 10th April, 2022 a fighting Indian Junior Women’s hockey team went down to the Netherlands who established supremacy with a 3-0 win in the Semi Final of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup here on Sunday. It was goals by Tessa Beetsma (12′), Luna Fokke (53′) and Jip Dicke (54′) that ensured Netherlands book their Final berth.
For India, Mumtaz Khan’s early shot on goal gave a positive start to their Semi Final campaign. The forward, has been quite impressive in the tournament so far, however, she could not find the right deflection as her shot hit the crossbar, denying India an early 1-0 lead. Meanwhile, the Dutch came up with brilliant 18-pass goal that was patiently executed, beating Indian defence to the goal. It was the Player of the Match Tessa Beetsma who opened the scoreboard for the Dutch with that fine goal in the 12th minute. A few minutes later, the Dutch took another brilliant shot on goal but the goal was disallowed by the umpire as the shot had come off the attacker’s back stick.
Though India showed their abilities with attack, creating eight circle penetrations at half time, with five shots on goal which included a couple of PCs, they were unable to find success.
With the match being evenly played by both teams, the Dutch returned after the half-time with an improvised attack that proved tough to beat for India. While they pushed for goals in the first few minutes of the third quarter, India lived up to the challenge with goalie Bichu Devi coming up with some fine saves. The Indian team Captain Salima who tried to dominate the midfield in India’s attack was outnumbered by the Dutch defenders, and they denied India every opportunity to take successful shots on goal.
With the match going into the deciding quarter, India still had their hopes of making it 1-1. But the Dutch went on top gear to finish the match with two more goals in their kitty. Luna Fokke and Jip Dicke scored back-to-back goals in the 53rd and 54th minute that ensured they snatched the match from India and march into the Final.
“I’m very proud. It was a very good start. Altogether a great learning experience and I think we did good. Now it’s heads up and focus on the next game. We have to give the same fight and same spirit,” said India coach Erik Wonink.
The tournament is still not over for India – there’s still the bronze medal match to play. They will face the losing team from the second semi-final between Germany and England.
That match will take place on Tuesday, April 12 at 17:00 hrs IST.
The Netherlands go through to fourth consecutive final. They will take on the winners of the second semi-final between England and Germany. Goals from Tessa Beetsma, Luna Fokke and Jip Dicke accounted for the Dutch team’s 3-0 win over India. So far, this Junior Orange Machine has manufactured 46 goals in this tournament and conceded none. So strong is their forwardline that you forget how capable the defence is.
For more stay tuned!
