The Indian Junior Women's Hockey team concluded their tour of Europe with a 2-3 shootout loss against the Netherlands, following a goalless draw in regulation time. The match, held in Utrecht, Netherlands on June 17, 2025, was a tightly contested affair, showcasing strong defensive play and impressive goalkeeping from both sides.
Coming into the match, the Indian team had built considerable momentum with four consecutive wins: three against Belgium and one against Australia. This winning streak highlighted the team's growing confidence and adaptability on the international stage. Throughout the Europe tour, the team demonstrated resilience and tactical flexibility, key attributes for success in international hockey.
Despite creating several scoring opportunities, neither India nor the Netherlands could find the back of the net during the four quarters of regulation time. Both teams displayed disciplined defending, effectively thwarting each other's attacking efforts. The goalkeepers were also instrumental in maintaining the deadlock, making crucial saves to keep their respective teams in the game.
With the score still level at 0-0 after full time, the match proceeded to a shootout to determine the winner. For India, Lalrinpuii and Priyanka Yadav successfully converted their shootout attempts. However, the Netherlands managed to edge ahead, with Imme de Leeuw, Roos Alkemade, and Lotte Rust scoring past the Indian goalkeeper. The shootout concluded with a 3-2 victory for the host nation.
Although the tour concluded with a narrow defeat, the Indian Junior Women's Hockey team can be proud of their overall performance. Finishing with four wins out of five matches, the team gained invaluable international exposure and experience. This tour forms a crucial part of their preparation for the upcoming FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to be held in Santiago, Chile, from December 1 to 13.
Earlier in the tour, India showcased their prowess by defeating Belgium in three consecutive matches. The first encounter saw India securing a 2-1 victory, with goals from Lalthantluangi and Geeta Yadav. India continued their dominance with a 3-2 win in the second match, where Sonam, Lalthantluangi, and Kanika Siwach scored. The final match against Belgium also went in India's favor, further cementing their dominance.
The team also registered a significant 2-1 victory against Australia. This win highlighted their ability to compete against top-tier teams and demonstrated their resilience in overcoming challenging situations.
Prior to the Europe tour, the Indian Junior Women's Hockey team participated in the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina. There, they registered a 2-1 win and a 2-2 (2-3 SO) loss against Chile, earned a 1-1 (2-0 SO) win and a 2-4 loss against hosts Argentina, and defeated Uruguay twice — 3-2 and 2-2 (3-1 SO).
The team's coach, Tushar Khandker, emphasized the importance of these international tours in preparing the team for the Junior World Cup. He noted that facing strong opponents in diverse conditions helps fine-tune the squad's combinations, build match temperament, and instill the confidence needed to perform on the world stage. The focus remains on continuous improvement and readiness for the challenges that lie ahead, with the ultimate goal of making a significant impact at the Junior World Cup in Chile.
