Muristek
Tie Heartbreaker: Mumtaz Khan’s brace in vain as India lose to England in tie-breaker, finish fourth
Potchefstroom, April 12
Mumtaz Khan's brace went in vain as the Indian women's hockey team's dream of reclaiming a bronze medal at the FIH Junior World Cup went up in smoke today when they lost 0-3 in the tie-breaker to England, after the two teams were locked 2-2 in regulation time.
Mumtaz, India's highest scorer in the tournament with eight strikes, scored two field goals, in the 21st and 47th minutes, but her goals were cancelled by Millie Giglio (18th) and Claudia Swain (58th) to take the bronze medal match to the shootout.
The Indians cut a sorry figure in the shootout as Olympian Sharmila Devi, skipper Salima Tete and Sangita Kumari faltered, while England's Katie Curtis, Swain and Maddie Axford found the back of the net to avenge their loss at the same stage in the 2013 edition. In 2013, India had secured their maiden bronze by defeating England in the shootout.
Contrary to the final result, it was India who had the better statistics in all aspects, be it possession, circle penetrations and shots on goal.
But England had the last laugh as a lapse in concentration in the final minutes of the match cost India dearly.
The Indians had started the match on a positive note, securing two penalty corners in quick succession, but the English defence thwarted them.
Lalrindiki then had an excellent chance to put India ahead but she fired wide from close range.
England took the lead three minutes into the second quarter through a lucky goal. Giglio's weak shot from inside the circle bobbed towards India goalkeeper Bichu Devi Kharibam, who mistimed her kick as the ball went through between her legs and into the goal.
England's joy lasted just three minutes as India equalised through Khan's seventh goal of the tournament.
Both the teams tried hard to take the initiative thereafter but failed to create any real scoring opportunities to go into the break locked at 1-1. It was a disappointing display by both the sides after the change of ends, as they dished out frustrating and cagey hockey. — PTI
Flying Dutch
Netherlands won their fourth title after beating arch-rivals Germany in the final. Danique van der Veerdonk converted a penalty corner in the seventh minute to give Netherlands the lead. Sophia Schwabe equalised in the 32nd minute — it was the first goal conceded by the Dutch in the tournament. However, a double from Tessa Beetsma (34th, 44th) sealed the deal for Netherlands.