The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team earned a nail-biting 2–0 victory in the shootout against hosts Argentina after a 1–1 draw in regulation time. This was their third match of the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina.
According to a statement from Hockey India, Kanika scored for India in the 44th minute to level the match. Later, in the shootout, Lalrinpuii and Lalthantluangi converted their chances, helping India secure the win.
Argentina Took Early Lead
The host team started strong. Milagros Del Valle gave Argentina a 1–0 lead in the 10th minute during the first quarter. But India kept pushing forward. In the third quarter, Kanika brought India back into the game with an equalising goal in the 44th minute.
Captain Nidhi Shines in Shootout
The game ended in a 1–1 draw and went to a penalty shootout. India’s goalkeeper and captain Nidhi made the difference with a remarkable performance, making four consecutive saves to stop all of Argentina’s attempts.
With India scoring twice through Lalrinpuii and Lalthantluangi, the team clinched a well-deserved shootout win.
India Had Defeated Uruguay Earlier
Earlier in the tournament, India secured a 3–2 win over Uruguay in their second match held on Monday. In that match, Sonam scored once in the 21st minute, while Kanika Siwach netted twice—in the 46th and 50th minutes—to seal the win.
Uruguay opened the scoring early with a penalty corner goal by Milagros Seigal in the 3rd minute. India equalised through Sonam’s penalty corner goal in the second quarter. But just three minutes later, Agustina Mari restored Uruguay’s lead, again via a penalty corner.
The third quarter ended without goals. However, Kanika Siwach turned the game around in the final stretch. She scored two back-to-back goals—one from a penalty corner and one field goal—to help India win.
India will aim to keep up their good form when they face Chile on May 30 in their next match of the tournament.
