Germany wins title, India takes third place

Y. B. SARANGI

Germany defeated New Zealand 3-2 in an intense final to lift the title in the four-nation Lal Bahadur Shastri under-21 women’s hockey tournament at the Major Dhyan Chand National Stadium here on Saturday.

Following a 2-2 deadlock in the regulation period, Sophie Mayen scored the golden goal in the 75{+t}{+h} minute to leave the German camp erupt in joy. Earlier, Viola Scharf (11th, 45th) struck a brace for Germany, while Pippa Hayward (35th) and Julia King (43th) found the target for New Zealand.

India recorded an identical win over Australia to claim the third spot.

Battle of equals

The summit clash was a battle of equals with the game swinging from side to side. The German players showed good coordination to put the Black Sticks under pressure. Germany opened its account off its first penalty corner as Viola made a fine goalmouth deflection.

Pippa converted the last of the two consecutive penalty corners to draw parity a few moments before the break.

Again, for Black Sticks, Julia delivered a superb hit from top of the circle to put her team ahead.

Following a series of exchanges, Germany levelled the scores with Viola tapping the ball in from close range.

Spoilt opportunities

New Zealand would rue its spoilt opportunities which dragged the game into extra-time.

Sophie, who was later named the ‘player of the final,’ guided a superb pass from Pia Oldhafer into the Black Sticks post to score the winner.

Sian Fremaux of the runner-up side was declared the ‘player of the tournament.’

In the third place classification match, two spectacular goals from striker Anupa Barla boosted India to a 3-2 victory over Australia. Brooke Peris’ 32nd minute field goal put the Jillaroos ahead.

A recharged Indian side found the equaliser through Poonam Rani, who sounded the board in the 37th minute.

Action-packed phase

Two more goals followed in the action-packed phase of the match. Kate Gilmore’s direct hit (41st) from a short corner again powered Australia to the lead. A minute later, Anupa received a well-directed ball from Neha Goyal and struck a reverse-hit to make it 2-2.

Anupa, stationed unmarked in front of the rival post, got a pass from a melee on her left and launched another reverse hit to stun the Jillaroos. She gleefully accepted the ‘player of the match’ award for her effort.

India’s chief coach B.K. Subramani was satisfied with the team’s showing and said the girls would learn a few things from this exposure.

H.J.S. Chimni, the 1975 World Cup winner, announced a monthly scholarship of Rs. 10,000 for a year for the talented 14-year-old Neha from Haryana.