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Key Points

The Indian junior women's hockey team launched their European tour with an impressive 3-2 victory against Belgium in Antwerp. After falling behind 2-1, the team mounted a remarkable comeback with goals from Sonam and Lalthantluangi. This match is part of their crucial preparation for the 2025 FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup in Chile. The win demonstrates the team's resilience and growing competitive spirit on the international stage.

Key Points: India Juniors Stun Belgium 3-2 in Thrilling Hockey Clash

  • India wins first European tour match against Belgium
  • Geeta Yadav opens scoring with early goal
  • Lalthantluangi scores decisive penalty corner
  • Preparing for 2025 Junior World Cup
2 min read

Indian junior women's hockey team beat Belgium 3-2

Indian junior women's hockey team defeats Belgium 3-2 in opening European tour match with stunning comeback victory

"The pressure paid off as they won a Penalty Corner - Match Commentary"

Antwerp, June 8

The Indian junior women’s hockey team kicked off their tour of Europe with a fantastic win against Belgium on Sunday. The Indian side won the game 3-2 at the Hockey Center of Excellence, Wilrijkse Plein in Antwerp, Belgium.

In what was a competitive contest, it was India who opened the scoring through Geeta Yadav (11’). However, in the second quarter, hosts Belgium equalised through Marie Goenns (25’). Soon after Belgium took the lead as Louise van Hecke (34’) found the back of the net.

India came back fighting and it was Sonam (40’) levelled things up. India continued to attack, and the pressure paid off as they won a Penalty Corner soon after, which was converted by Lalthantluangi (45’). After that, the Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team did not let Belgium get another equaliser, and walked away with the win.

India will take on Belgium in the second game of their European tour on June 10.

After wrapping up the promising outing at the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina, the Indian team has now reached Europe for the five-match tour.

India are set to play three matches against Belgium in Antwerp. They will then face Australia at Beerschot Tennis Hockey Padel Club, in Kontich, before wrapping up the tour with a match against the Netherlands at Hockey Club Kampong, in Utrecht.

In Argentina, the Indian side delivered strong performances against quality opposition. 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 tour served as an important step in the team’s preparations, offering valuable lessons in handling high-pressure scenarios and adapting to different playing styles.

Notably, these matches are also a key part of India’s preparation for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Santiago, Chile, in December 2025.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya K.
What a fantastic start to the European tour! 🇮🇳 The girls showed real fighting spirit after being down 1-2. Lalthantluangi's penalty corner conversion was clutch! Wishing them all the best for the upcoming matches against Australia and Netherlands.
R
Rahul S.
Belgium is always a tough opponent in hockey. This win shows our junior women's team is making great progress. But we need to work on maintaining consistency throughout all four quarters. The upcoming matches will be good tests!
A
Anjali M.
So proud of our girls! 🎉 The Argentina tour performance was already impressive, and now beating Belgium in their home ground. Special mention to Sonam for that crucial equalizer. Hope they get more media coverage - women's hockey deserves it!
V
Vikram J.
Good win, but we shouldn't get carried away. Our defense looked shaky at times. The real test will be against Netherlands - they're the gold standard in women's hockey. Still, chak de India! 💪
S
Sunita P.
These girls are making India proud on international stage! The mix of players from different states - Geeta, Sonam, Lalthantluangi - shows hockey's pan-India appeal. Hope this inspires more young girls to take up sports!
K
Karan D.
The junior team's performance gives hope for the future of Indian women's hockey. The 2025 Junior World Cup is still far, but if they keep improving like this, we might see another golden generation like the Olympic bronze medalists!

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