Indian women's hockey team in quarter final after defeating Germany

The Indian women's hockey team sealed its place in the quarter-finals of the FIH Junior World Cup after beating Germany 2-1 in the pool ...

The Indian women's hockey team sealed its place in the quarter-finals of the FIH Junior World Cup after beating Germany 2-1 in the pool stage here on Sunday. Lalremsiami (2nd minute) and Mumtaz Khan (25th) converted penalty corners. Germany's lone goal was scored by Jule Bleuel in the 57th minute. This is the second consecutive win for the Indian team. Earlier on Saturday, the Indian team, which defeated Wales 5-1 in their opening match of Group D, upset Germany by defeating Germany in this match.

Against Germany, the Indian team got a penalty corner in the second minute itself. Dipika's drag flick was saved by the German goalkeeper but Lalremsiami scored on the rebound to give the team the lead. After this, Germany got many penalty corners by putting constant pressure on the Indian defense but they could not penetrate the promptness of goalkeeper Beechu Devi Karibam.

The Indians then went on to score two consecutive penalty corners, mostly on the back of a counter-attack, with Mumtaz doubling the team's lead in the 25th minute with a second penalty corner. Germany got the team back in the match three minutes before the end of the match, Bleuel scored a reverse shot and scored a brilliant field goal, but it did not prove enough.

The Indian team will take on Malaysia in the last match of the pool stage on April 5, before the quarter-final stage begins on April 8. The Indian team is currently at the top of Pool D with two wins from two matches while Germany's team is second in the table. Two teams each from each pool will qualify for the quarter-finals. 

- KTP Bureau