India finish 9th in Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup after beating USA 3-2 – Times of India

Goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo showcased her brilliance between the posts, guiding India to a hard-fought 3-2 victory over the USA in sudden death, securing a ninth-place finish at the Junior Women’s Hockey World Cup in Santiago, Chile.
In an electrifying classification match, both India and the USA exhibited tremendous resilience, resulting in a 2-2 deadlock at the end of regulation time.Kindo’s exceptional save during sudden death and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal’s composed conversion propelled India to triumph.
Within the allocated 60 minutes, India’s Manju Chorsiya (11′) and Sunelita Toppo (57′) contributed one goal each, while Kiersten Thomassey (27′, 53′) netted twice for the USA.
The nail-biting penalty shootout saw successful conversions from Mumtaz Khan and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal for India, with the latter also sealing the victory in sudden death. On the opposing side, Katie Dixon and Olivia Bent-Cole found the net for the USA in the penalty shootout.
India dominated the early proceedings, relentlessly pressuring the USA and breaching their defense multiple times. Chorsiya’s precisely executed goal from the initial penalty corner gave India a deserved lead. Buoyed by this advantage, India maintained an aggressive stance, keeping the USA under constant pressure.

Despite the USA earning a penalty corner in the final minute of the quarter, they failed to capitalize, and the first quarter concluded with India leading 1-0.
In the second quarter, India focused on ball possession, consistently penetrating the USA’s circle. However, the USA defended resolutely, thwarting India’s attempts to widen the gap and launching counter-attacks of their own. This defensive strategy proved effective when Thomassey’s accurate strike leveled the score, highlighting the USA’s resilience.
The third quarter witnessed India launching a barrage of attacks, putting relentless pressure on the USA’s defense. Despite numerous near misses, including a penalty corner opportunity, India couldn’t convert, and the 1-1 deadlock persisted.
At the start of the fourth quarter, India earned an early penalty corner, but their efforts to convert it fell short. Seizing the opportunity against the run of play, the USA took the lead as Thomassey netted her second goal. With time running out and the score against them, India intensified their offensive efforts. Their determination bore fruit when Toppo leveled the score with a brilliantly placed shot from a penalty corner, reigniting their chances in the contest.