India’s junior women’s hockey team kicked off their Australia Tour with a tough 2-3 defeat against the host’s U-21 side at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra on September 26. The young players showed plenty of fight in this first match of a five-game series.
The game stayed scoreless through the first half, with both teams locked in a fierce battle. Australia broke the deadlock in the 36th minute when Bianca Zurrer nailed a penalty corner goal. They added another from a penalty corner just before halftime, thanks to Evie Sransby in the 45th minute, putting India 0-2 down.
India’s squad bounced back strong in the final quarter. Lalthantluangi pulled one back with a penalty corner goal in the 47th minute, cutting the lead to one. Sonam then leveled the score at 2-2 with a sharp field goal in the 54th minute, firing up the team’s comeback hopes.
But Australia had the last word. With just over a minute remaining, Sammy Love scored from a penalty corner in the 59th minute, securing a narrow victory for the home side.
This tour runs from September 26 to October 2, featuring three matches against Australia’s junior women’s team and two against the local Canberra Chill squad. All games take place at the National Hockey Centre in Canberra on September 26, 27, 29, 30, and October 2.
The Indian junior women’s hockey team for the 2025 Australia Tour includes:
Goalkeepers: Nidhi, Engil Harsha Rani Minz
Defenders: Manisha, Jyoti Singh (Captain), Lalthantluangi, Mamita Oram, Sakshi Shukla, Puja Sahoo, Nandni
Midfielders: Priyanka Yadav, Sakshi Rana, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Rajni Kerketta, Binima Dhan, Ishika, Sunelita Toppo, Anisha Sahu
Forwards: Lalrinpuii, Nisha Minj, Purnima Yadav, Sonam, Kanika Siwach, Sukhveer Kaur
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