Ireland U21's lose to India in final pool stage match

IRELAND 0 - 4 INDIA

India came away with a 4-0 win in the Ireland U21 Women’s final FIH Junior World Cup Pool Stage match in Chile.

Despite a huge effort from the side, India built a gradual lead, scoring after 12 and 42 minutes before two late goals extended their lead to four.

India applied the pressure from the off, but Ireland were more than up for the task as they kept the India attackers at bay. An early penalty corner forced Ireland into defensive duties which they cleared, but India eventually broke the deadlock in the 12th minute through Siwach Kanika.

India won a penalty corner early in the second quarter, calling Lucy McGoldrick into action to make a super save. Ireland, though, looked lively launching a dangerous attack down the right side through Millie Jerman, eventually pulling the ball across goal from the baseline where Eabha Curran did well to get on the end of it, but the India keeper was on hand to snuff out the danger.

India went up the other end winning a penalty corner, but Milla Fulton did well to put pressure on and force a shot wide of the post, keeping it a one score game going into half-time.  

India created an early opportunity that Ireland defended well, but Ireland returned the favour launching a number of attacks through Milla Fulton, Mollie Lennon and Hollai Quinn to keep India on their toes.

India, regained their footing, testing McGoldrick on three separate occasions but the UCD Goalkeeper made three excellent saves in the Irish net. But India eventually got their second, scoring from a penalty corner deflection that Purnima Yadav touch in.  

India looked to extend their lead in the third quarter, but Ireland held firm. A great attacking move down the right side from Eva Gaston ended in Ireland’s best chance as the ball came to Eabha Curran who’s reverse stick shock was blocked.

A chance in the final four minutes of the match ended in a goal for India, Sakshi Rana scoring from open play. A fourth came less than a minute, Purnima Yadav deflecting into the net for a second time, this time from open play.

Ireland will now progress to their classification matches, with the details of their next match to be determined.