India Blank Ireland 4–0 to Close Pool C Campaign in Style at Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team delivered a commanding performance to defeat Ireland 4–0 in their final Pool C match of the FIH Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup 2025 at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Santiago, on Friday.

A clinical display in both halves saw goals from Kanika Siwach (12’), Purnima Yadav (42’, 58’) and Sakshi Rana (57’) as India asserted their control and finished their pool engagements on a high note.

India began the contest with intent, pressing high and putting immediate pressure on the Irish defence. Their attacking mindset was evident from the opening minutes, earning a penalty corner within the first 12 seconds. Though the initial opportunities went unconverted, India’s dominance in possession and territory hinted at a goal being a matter of time.

The breakthrough arrived in the 12th minute following a swift attacking move. Sakshi Rana threaded a perfectly weighted pass into the circle to Kanika Siwach, who showed admirable composure. Siwach rounded the advancing Irish goalkeeper Lucy McGoldrick before calmly pushing the ball into an unguarded net to open the scoring and give India a deserved 1–0 lead.

Sustained Pressure Without Reward

India continued to dictate the tempo, winning consecutive penalty corners in the 17th and 23rd minutes. However, Ireland’s goalkeeper McGoldrick responded with two strong saves to keep her side in the contest. Ireland’s first meaningful attempt came in the 24th minute, but the Indian goalkeeper was alert to block the effort comfortably.

As the second quarter progressed, India maintained their attacking threat, yet finishing continued to elude them at crucial moments. Another penalty corner in the 28th minute went begging, and India entered the halftime break with a narrow one-goal advantage despite their clear superiority in open play.

The third quarter saw India increase their control, holding possession for longer spells and stretching Ireland’s defensive structure. In the 40th minute, Manisha produced an incisive pass to Sukhveer Kaur, whose well-struck effort narrowly sailed over the crossbar. India’s persistence was rewarded two minutes later. From their seventh penalty corner of the match, Sakshi Shukla delivered a sharp injection, allowing Purnima Yadav (42’) to deflect the ball expertly into the goal. The conversion provided India with a 2–0 cushion and reflected their growing authority in the game.

Ireland showed brief signs of resistance in the fourth quarter. Eabha Curran broke through on goal and aimed for the bottom corner, but Nandini produced a perfectly timed block to preserve India’s clean sheet.

That moment proved to be Ireland’s last significant chance. India responded emphatically, scoring twice within a minute to put the match beyond doubt. In the 57th minute, Sakshi Rana showcased superb 3D skills down the left flank, gliding past defenders before unleashing a powerful shot that beat the goalkeeper at the near post.

Barely a minute later, India struck again as Purnima Yadav (58’) completed her brace. Showing excellent anticipation inside the circle, she calmly deflected the ball over the goalkeeper to register India’s fourth and final goal.

The comprehensive victory reflected India’s depth, attacking variety and improved penalty-corner execution. Purnima Yadav’s brace underlined her finishing instincts, while Kanika Siwach and Sakshi Rana added sharpness and creativity in the attacking third. Defensively, India remained disciplined, denying Ireland any clear-cut opportunities and finishing with a well-earned clean sheet.

With this dominant display, India not only closed their pool-stage campaign positively but also reinforced their credentials as a serious contender in the knockout stages.

All matches of the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup 2025 are being live streamed on JioHotstar, as the tournament continues toward the decisive rounds.