Indian Women’s Hockey Team wins bronze medal in Lal Bahadur Shastri U-21 Hockey Tournament
Anupa Barla lit the lamp two times and had an assist, as India’s Junior Women’s Hockey team overwhelmed Australia in the third place play-off game in the 22nd Lal Bahadur Shastri U-21 Hockey Tournament.
The Indian team scored three goals against the two of its competitors in the match that took place at the Major Dhyan Chand Stadium, in India, on November 12.
Women’s teams from Australia, New Zealand, Germany and the host, India, featured in the Four-Nation U-21 event.
Indian Junior Hockey Coach, Sudarshan Pathak, expressed satisfaction over his girls’ performance for ousting a talented Australian side in the play-off fixture.
He underlined, “Australians are just like European sides. They are physically strong and play fast-paced. But our girls matched them and beat them. It's an achievement”.
Commenting on the playing strategies, the coach added, “We played 4-4-2 formation. Our plan was to defend in the first half, look for mistakes of our opponents, and then attack in the second half. The girls did just that and I am happy about it”.
He also pointed out some weak areas of the team saying that the young girls were lacking stamina and physical strength. They will have to improve on these areas with consistent training, if they want to win more games against top squads, he added.
Considering the significance of the match, both the squads began the game quite cautiously from the very beginning minute.
The two teams exchanged plenty of attacks in the early part of the game but no goal was scored until the 32nd minute of the play.
With three minutes remaining in the first set of play, Brooke Peris managed to drive the ball to the top of the circle, unleashing a classic shot into the goal.
The Indian team, in counter-offence, earned two penalty corners but failed to avail the opportunities.
Poonam Rani and her teammate, Navjot Kaur, missed the chances in the 33rd and 34th minutes, respectively. The first half action concluded with Australia sitting atop by 1-0.
The host team, however, fought openly in the second set of play. It made plenty of penetrations in the opposite circle, breaking the defence-line of Australia.
With two minutes into the second period, Poonam Rani scored a short corner, tying the knots at one-all.
Kate Gilmore accounted for a goal in the 41st minute, regaining a single-goal lead for Australia. However, Anupa Barla scored her first goal of the day in the 42nd minute, once again making the score even at two-all.
Barla beat the Australian keeper in the 65th minute mark, registering her second goal of the day and sealing the victory for the home team.
India won the match as well as lifted the bronze medal in the Lal Bahadur Shastri U-21 Hockey Tournament.
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