India edge Uruguay in shootout after dramatic 1-1 draw at FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2025

The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team held their nerve to defeat Uruguay 3-1 in a shootout after a pulsating 1-1 draw in the 9th–12th classification match at the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2025.

In a contest defined by Indian dominance during regulation time and late heartbreak, goalkeeper Nidhi emerged as the hero in the shootout, producing three crucial saves to seal the win at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional, Santiago. India had taken the lead through Manisha (19’) and looked on course for a regulation-time victory, but Uruguay forced the game into a shootout with a last-gasp penalty stroke converted by Justina Arregui (60’).

India began the match with clear intent, immediately taking control of possession and dictating the tempo. Their midfield pressed high, and the forward line applied sustained pressure, resulting in multiple early circle entries. Uruguay, by contrast, adopted a compact defensive structure and looked to hit on the counter. Despite India’s early control, it was Uruguay who earned the first real opportunity of the match, winning a penalty corner in the fifth minute. However, a moment of hesitation inside the circle saw them miss a chance to test the Indian defence.

As the first quarter progressed, India continued to build patiently, moving the ball well across the width of the pitch and probing for openings. Their persistence paid dividends in the second quarter. In the 18th minute, India earned a penalty corner of their own and attempted an inventive routine, working the ball towards Sakshi Rana at the near post. Her effort was blocked, but the reprieve was brief for Uruguay.

Just a minute later, Manisha produced the breakthrough. Picking up space outside the circle, she unleashed a powerful shot from distance that caught the Uruguay defence off guard and found its way into the back of the net. The goal reflected India’s dominance, as they finished the first half with as many as eleven circle penetrations. Uruguay, meanwhile, remained pinned deep in their own half, relying largely on defensive discipline to stay in the contest.

The pattern of play continued after the break, with India setting a high defensive line and forcing Uruguay to play from the back. The Indian side created sustained pressure in the third quarter, winning two successive penalty corners midway through the period. However, despite their territorial dominance, the final touch eluded them once again, allowing Uruguay to remain within striking distance.

The match took on a different complexion in the fourth quarter. Uruguay, with little to lose, began to play more freely and committed more players forward. The increased attacking intent resulted in their second penalty corner of the match in the 49th minute, but India’s goalkeeper Nidhi produced a superb save to preserve the lead.

As the clock ticked down, Uruguay made a bold tactical call by replacing their goalkeeper with an outfield player, flooding the circle with numbers in a final push for an equaliser. The gamble paid off in dramatic fashion. With just two seconds remaining on the clock, Uruguay earned a penalty stroke following a chaotic final attack. Justina Arregui stepped up under immense pressure and calmly converted, snatching a 1-1 draw and forcing the match into a shootout.

The shootout, however, belonged entirely to India. Purnima Yadav, Ishika and Kanika Siwach all converted their attempts with confidence, placing the pressure firmly back on Uruguay. Nidhi then delivered a performance of remarkable composure, denying Uruguay on three occasions to secure a 3-1 shootout victory for India.

The result ensured India move ahead in the classification stages and keep their campaign alive for a higher final placing. While the late equaliser will sting, the overall performance offered several positives, particularly India’s control of possession, defensive organisation and resilience in pressure moments.

India will next face Spain on December 11 in the 9th–10th place playoff. All matches of the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2025 are being live-streamed on JioHotstar.