Indian Junior Women Hockey Team finished third in the 4-Nations Invitational Tournament, trouncing England 6-2 in the third/fourth place match in Dusseldorf, Germany today. Host Germany emerged champions, defeating Spain 3-2 in shootout after play in the regulation time ended in 1-1 draw.

The 20-member Indian team, featuring four players from Odisha, played a total of four matches in the tournament, won two, drew one and lost one. The four Odisha players were goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo, defender Anjali Barwa, mid-fielder Sujata Kujur and forward Sunelita Toppo.

India started campaign with a setback as they lost to Germany 1-3 in the opening match. Led by defender Preeti, India drew their second game against England 3-3 and then beat Spain 2-1 their third match to register first win.

The 4-Nations tournament was a part of preparations for the Indian women team for the all-important 2023 Women FIH Hockey Junior World Cup, scheduled to be played in Santiago, Chile from 29 November to 10 December 2023.

INDIAN JUNIOR WOMEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Madhuri Kindo, Khushboo. Defenders: Preeti (Captain), Ropni Kumari, Anjali Barwa, Neelam, Thounaojam Nirupama Devi. Midfielders: Rutuja Dadaso Pisal (Vice-Captain), Manju Chorsiya, Sakshi Rana, Sujata Kujur, Bhumiksha Sahu, Jyoti Singh, Mahima Tete, Hina Bano. Forwards: Annu, Deepika Soreng, Sunelita Toppo, Kajal Sadashiv Atpadkar, Mumtaz Khan.

INDIA RESULTS:
August 19: India (Mumtaz Khan 60-PC) lost to Germany (Hahn Marie 9-PC, Seidel Carolin 37-FG, Lena Keller 58-FG) 1-3.
August 20: India (Hina Bano 6-FG, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal 49-FG, Mumtaz Khan 53-PC) drew with England (Le Huray Martha 4-FG, 19-FG, Alexander Beth 9-PC) 3-3.
August 22: India (Annu 21-FG, Sakshi Rana 47-FG) beat Spain (Teresa Lima 23-FG) 2-1.
August 23: India (Neelam 25-PC, Annu 26-FG, 43-FG, Sunelita Toppo 35-PC, Hina Bano 38-FG, Mumtaz Khan 40-PC) beat England (Claudia Swain 16-FG, Charlotte Bingham 54-FG) 6-2.