India defeated Uruguay 3-1 in a shootout after an intense 1-1 draw in their 9/12 qualification match at the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2025 in Santiago, on Tuesday.
Manisha (19′) was the goalscorer for India while Justina Arregui (60′) scored the equalizer for Uruguay at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, Estadio Nacional.
The first quarter saw India dictate the possession and control the game, creating multiple chances on goal early on. However, it was Uruguay who won the first penalty corner in the fifth minute but they hesitated to take a shot on goal and squandered the chance.
In the 18th minute, India won a penalty corner as well and played out an interesting variation, passing the ball to Sakshi Rana on the near post but her shot was blocked by the opposing goalkeeper.
Moments later, India broke the deadlock courtesy of a powerful shot from distance by Manisha (19′) as she snuck the ball into the net to claim the lead for the Indian hockey team.
In the first half itself, India had 11 circle penetrations as they dominated the game whereas Uruguay were playing an extremely defensive brand of hockey.
The trend followed in the third quarter as India kept a high line, forcing Uruguay to play from their own half, however, despite all the possession and circle entries, India couldn’t find another goal. They won two successive penalty corners midway through the third quarter as well but couldn’t increase their advantage.
The game opened up in the final quarter with plenty of end-to-end action as Uruguay were playing a lot more freely. They even won their second penalty corner of the day in the 49th minute but India’s goalkeeper, Nidhi, made an incredible save to maintain the lead.
With two minutes left on the clock, Uruguay switched their goalkeeper for an outfield player to push ahead in numbers and it paid off. With just two seconds left on the clock, Uruguay won a penalty stroke with their last play. Justina Arregui (60′) stepped up to the spot and converted the stroke to push the game into a shootout.
India emerged victorious in the shootout 3-1 as Purnima Yadav, Ishika and Kanika Siwach scored from their takes and goalkeeper Nidhi denied Uruguay thrice to ensure her team progressed ahead in the tournament.
India will next play Spain on Thursday in the 9th/10th place match of the FIH Hockey Junior Women’s World Cup 2025.