The Indian junior women’s hockey team continued their winning streak at the U23 5 Nations Tournament as they earned an exciting 4-1 victory against the United States’ team inUniphar in Dublin.
For the Indian side Annu (49’, 52’) netted a brace with Nikita Toppo (48’) and VaishnaviPhalke (58’) scoring a goal each. From the USA team Hannah Miller (46’) scored the lone goal.
India had a fast start, winning the first Penalty Corner of the game within the first 10 minutes of the game. India tried to attack early in the game to grab the lead but neither India nor the United States team were able to score by the end of the first quarter.
Early in the second quarter India took charge and won their second PC but their plans were foiled by the United States’ strongdefense.
The USA teambegan a counter-attack which got them their first PC of the game. However it did not convert in a goal and both teams reached the halftime mark with no advantage.
In the third quarter of the game too India and the United States fought it out to control the pace of the game without producing any clear opportunities.
As the fourth quarter began, the US team upped their attack and it paid off as they won a PC and Hannah Miller scored the game’s maiden goal and put the US team in the lead.
However, in the 48th minute Nikita Toppo levelled the game for India. In the next minute Annu added another goal to put India in the lead. After that, India did not look back as they earned three back-to-back PCs. Annu scored her second goal in the 52nd minute.
VaishnaviPhalke scored the final goal of the match in the 58th minute and India defeated USA 4-1.
