India created history as Indian girls entered the semifinals of the junior women's World Cup hockey championship for the first time ever. India trounced Spain by 4-2 after the teams were locked into 2-2 in a quarterfinal match played at Monchengladbach in Germany.
India's Australian coach Neil Hawgood commented that the success has emerged from all the big defeats they suffered in the World League Round 3. In fact, the experience has helped in the junior World Cup. Actually, the girls were nervous in the beginning but they displayed character and continued to work for 70 minutes.
Remarkably, India recovered twice following Spain hauled a seventh lead when Xantal Gine converted a penalty corner. However, India equalized in the 10th minute through a field goal scored by Monika. Subsequently, Spain enhanced it to 2-1 in the 30th minute with a field goal scored by skipper Berta Bonastre. Unfortunately, Spanish joy was short-lived when Navneet Kaur raised Indian score to 2-2 with just seconds left for half-time. Notably, Navneet scored with a lovely reverse flick.
To the delight of everyone, India emerged a better side in the second session. Vandana Katariya scored from a penalty corner splendidly, in the 41st minute to award India the lead for the first time in the match by 3-2. After seven minutes, Rani secured India by 4-2. Specifically, the Indians defended well for 22 minutes to smash the Spanish girls to become the first team to reserve a berth in the last four of the World Cup.
Captain and goalkeeper Sushila Chanu Pukhrambam remarked that the aim was scoring goals and the team spirit. They wanted to win this match and played briskly throughout the entire game. They are very enthusiastic now as they have never reached the semi-finals before. She revealed that of course, they would love to qualify for the final.
Rani expressed that this is amazing. Truly, it is a great day for hockey in India. She knew that they will win today if they keep up the pressure.
