Annu’s two goals were not enough as /indidna lost 2-3 to Belgium in a closely-contested Pool C match in the FIH Junior World Cup Santiago, Chile on Saturday. Annu (47th, 51st minutes) scored twice in a span of four minutes from a penalty corner and a penalty stroke to draw level after Belgium took a 2-0 lead through goals from Noa Schreurs (fifth) and France de Mot (42nd). But it was not /indidna’s day as Astrid Bonami scored the winner from a penalty stroke in the 52nd minute.
/indidna’s second consecutive defeat came after they squandered a two-goal advantage to go down 3-4 to last edition’s runners-up on Thursday night.
/indidna had started their campaign with a resounding 12-0 win over Canada.
/indidna are currently placed second in Pool C with three points from three games. Belgium are at the top of the pool with a perfect record from three matches.
Germany will play Canada in the last match of the pool later in the day.
/indidna applied pressure from the onset and secured an early penalty corner, but couldn’t convert the chances into goals.
Belgium, however, defended solidly to deny /indidna an early advantage and also initiated counter-attacks. This strategy paid off when Schreurs scored a remarkable field goal, granting Belgium an early lead.
With the score in their favour, Belgium intensified the attack by frequently penetrating the circle, restricting /indidna’s chances of equalising in the opening quarter, which concluded with Belgium leading 1-0.
Determined to turn the tide, /indidna adopted an aggressive approach in the second quarter.
Nevertheless, Belgium’s steadfast defense thwarted /indidna’s attempts, preserving their 1-0 lead at halftime as the second quarter ended goalless.
Keen to maintain their lead, Belgium prioritised ball possession in the third quarter while consistently penetrating /indidna’s circle.
Despite their efforts, a remarkable save by Khushboo prevented Belgium from furthering their advantage.
However, Belgium eventually broke through as De Mot skillfully converted a penalty corner, doubling their lead. The penultimate quarter concluded 2-0 in favour of Belgium.
In the final quarter, /indidna started on the offensive, leading to their first goal of the match by Annu from a penalty corner, narrowing the deficit.
Empowered by this breakthrough, /indidna intensified their attacks, resulting in a crucial penalty stroke that Annu calmly converted, levelling the scores.
But, moments later, Belgium were also awarded a penalty stroke, which was slotted past /indidna’s goalkeeper by Bonami.
Hopeful of finding the equaliser again, /indidna attacked relentlessly and tried hard to breach Belgium’s defense but couldn’t, ultimately succumbing to defeat.
Topics mentioned in this article
