<p>In their second game of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023, the Indian junior women’s hockey team performed well, but Germany, the runners-up of the last edition of the top competition, rallied from behind to win 4-3 in an exciting encounter on Friday.<img decoding=”async” class=”alignnone wp-image-294853″ src=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-junior-womens-world-cup-in-an-exciting-match-germany-defeats-india-34-download-202.jpg” alt=”theindiaprint.com junior womens world cup in an exciting match germany defeats india 34 download 202″ width=”1040″ height=”648″ title=”Junior Women's World Cup: In an exciting match, Germany defeats India 3–4 6″ srcset=”https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-junior-womens-world-cup-in-an-exciting-match-germany-defeats-india-34-download-202.jpg 284w, https://www.theindiaprint.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/12/theindiaprint.com-junior-womens-world-cup-in-an-exciting-match-germany-defeats-india-34-download-202-150×93.jpg 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 1040px) 100vw, 1040px” /></p>
<p>Germany’s goals came from Sophia Schwabe (17′), Laura Pluth (21′, 36′), and Carolin Seidel (38′), whereas Annu (11′), Ropni Kumari (14′), and Mumtaz Khan (24′) scored for India.</p>
<p>India got into a passing rhythm fast, controlling the ball and constantly challenging Germany’s defense to dominate the first quarter of the match. India tried hard early on, but Germany’s strong defense stopped them, and they didn’t score until the last few minutes of the quarter.</p>
<p>The Indian side earned successive penalty corners during this stretch of constant pressure, and Annu (11′) took advantage of the second chance with a strong shot to give her team the lead at last.</p>
<p>India quickly broke the stalemate when Ropni Kumari (14′) skillfully scored from another penalty corner. This further cemented India’s position. India had a 2-0 lead at the end of the first quarter, indicating a strong start for the group.</p>
<p>With fresh vigor, Germany went into the second quarter ready to reverse the tide. Their efforts paid off when Sophia Schwabe (17′) made a spectacular field goal to cut Germany’s deficit. Laura Pluth (21′) capitalized on this momentum by hitting a hard shot to tie the score.</p>
<p>But India did not waste any time in responding, as Mumtaz Khan (24′) expertly placed the ball past the opposition’s goalie, turning the tide and putting India up 3-2 going into the half.</p>
<p>In the third quarter, India emphasized ball control in an attempt to hold onto their advantage, but Germany was able to even the score. With her second goal, Laura Pluth (36′) tied the score. Driven by their comeback, Germany stepped up their offensive and took the lead thanks to a penalty corner goal by Carolin Seidel (38′).</p>
<p>India increased the frequency of their raids, anxious to exact revenge. However, by the end of the third quarter, Germany still had the advantage with a 4-3 score.</p>
<p>Both teams played aggressively in the last quarter, with Germany almost increasing their advantage. But Indian goalkeeper Madhuri Kindo stopped Germany from going any farther ahead with a one-on-one save of his own.</p>
<p>In the last moments, India was awarded two consecutive penalty corners but was unable to convert. Germany prevailed 4-3 when the fourth quarter ended without any goals.</p>
<p>On Saturday, the Indian squad will play their third tournament encounter against Belgium.</p>
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