India finished ninth in the 10th FIH Hockey Women Junior World Cup, defeating USA 5-4, via shootout in a classification match in Santiago, Chile today. After play in the regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw, India won the thrilling shootout 3-2 in sudden death.

Netherlands retained the title, beating Argentina 6-3 in the finalo, via shootout after play in the regulation time ended in a 2-2 draw. Belgium won the bronze medal, getting the better of 7-0 in the third-place match.

India played a total of six matches in the tournament, won four and lost two. After starting the campaign with a 12-0 thumping win over Canada in Pool C, India suffered two defeatas to bow out of the race for a spot in the quarterfinals. In their last two pool league games, India lost to Germany 3-4 and Belgium 2-3.

In the classification round, India won three matches in a row, beating New Zealand 6-5 via sudden death in penalty shootout, Korea 3-1 and USA 5-4, also in shootout. The Indian team, featuring five from Odisha, was led by Preeti with Rutaja Dadaso Pisal as her deputy. The five Odisha players were: Madhuri Kindo, Jyoti Chhatri, Sujata Kujur, Dipi Monika Toppo and Sunelita Toppo.

INDIAN JUNIOR WOMEN HOCKEY TEAM: Goalkeepers: Khushboo, Madhuri Kindo. Defenders: Neelam, Preeti (Captain), Jyoti Singh, Ropni Kumari. Midfielders: Mahima Tete, Manju Chorsiya, Jyoti Chhatri, Hina Bano, Sujata Kujur, Rutuja Dadaso Pisal. Forwards: Sakshi Rana, Mumtaz Khan, Annu, Deepika Soreng, Dipi Monika Toppo, Sunelita Toppo. Replacements: Thounaojam Nirupama Devi, Jyothi Edula. Coach: Tushar Khandker.

INDIA RESULTS:
November 29: India (Annu 4-PC, 6-PC, 39-FG, Dipi Monika Toppo 21-FG, Mumtaz Khan 26-FG, 41-PC, 54-FG, 60-FG, Deepika Soreng 34-PC, 50-FG, 54-FG, Neelam 45-PC) beat Canada 12-0.
December 1: India (Annu 11-PC, Ropni Kumari 14-PC, Mumtaz Khan 24-FG) lost to Germany (Sophia Schwabe 17-FG, Laura Pluth 21-FG, 36-FG, Carolin Seidel 38-PC) 3-4.
December 2: India (Annu 47-PC, 51-PS) lost to Belgium (Noa Schreurs 5-FG, France De Mot 42-PC, Astrid Bonami 52-PS) 2-3.
December 5: India (Ropni Kumari 8-PC, Jyoti Chhatri 17-FG, Sunelita Toppo 53-PC) beat New Zealand (Isabella Story 11-PC, Madeline Harris 14-FG, Riana Pho 49-PC) 6-5 via shootout (Full-time 3-3). Shootout: India (Mumtaz Khan, Preeti, Sakshi Rana) beat New Zealand (Riana Pho, Hannah Cotter) 3-2.
December 8: India (Ropni Kumari 23-PC, Mumtaz Khan 44-PC, Annu 46-FG) beat Korea (Jiyun Choi 19-PC) 3-1.
December 10: India (Manju Chorsiya 11-PC, Sunelita Toppo 57-PC) beat USA (Kiersten Thomassey 27-FG, 53-FG) 5-4 via shootout (Full time 2-2 draw). Shootout: India (Rutaja Dadaso Pisal 2, Mumtaz Khan 1) beat USA (Olivia Bent-Cole, Katie Dixon) 3-2.