Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team Wraps Up Productive UK Tour with Eyes on Junior Asia Cup
The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team concluded a highly productive seven-match exposure tour of the United Kingdom, gaining valuable international experience ahead of the Women's Junior Asia Cup later this year.
Facing a mix of senior and Under-21 international sides from Scotland, the USA, England and Belgium, the young Indian squad showcased resilience, adaptability and steady improvement throughout the tour. India finished with three victories, three defeats and one shootout loss, but the results only tell part of the story. More importantly, the tour provided the squad with an opportunity to compete against varied playing styles, experience high-pressure situations and fine-tune combinations ahead of one of the most important tournaments on the junior international calendar.
Across the seven matches, several Indian players delivered standout performances, with forwards finding the back of the net consistently while the defensive unit gained valuable experience against quality opposition.
India began the tour with arguably its toughest challenge, taking on the Scotland Senior Women's team in Edinburgh. The opening fixture was an entertaining contest in which India showed promising attacking intent despite suffering a narrow 3-2 defeat. Scotland's Amy Costello, Zara Kennedy and Heather McEwan found the scoresheet, while India's response came through Sukhveer Kaur and Kajal.
Although the result went Scotland's way, India's ability to compete closely against an experienced senior side provided encouraging signs. The second encounter followed a similar pattern, with Scotland securing a 3-1 victory. Goals from Bronwyn Shields, Zara Kennedy and Charlotte Watson proved decisive, while Shashi Khasa scored India's only goal.
Despite beginning the tour with consecutive defeats, the coaching staff viewed the matches as valuable learning experiences against physically stronger and tactically mature opponents.
Having absorbed important lessons from the opening two matches, India responded emphatically in their third outing. Facing the USA Under-21 side, the Indian attack came alive in spectacular fashion, recording a dominant 6-0 victory. Sukhveer Kaur starred with two well-taken goals, while Kajal, Shashi Khasa, Purnima Yadav and Puja Sahoo all added their names to the scoresheet in India's most comprehensive performance of the tour.
The convincing victory highlighted the team's attacking depth and demonstrated how quickly the players had adapted after the difficult start. More importantly, it restored confidence within the squad heading into two challenging fixtures against England U-21.
India carried their momentum into the fourth match, producing another composed performance to defeat England Under-21 2-0. Binima Dhan opened the scoring inside the opening minutes before Roshni Aind doubled India's advantage later in the contest to secure a deserved victory. The result showcased India's disciplined defensive structure alongside their ability to convert scoring opportunities.
The two teams met again later during the tour, and India once again emerged victorious with another 2-0 win. This time, Krishna Sharma and Purnima Yadav scored the goals as India completed a memorable double over the hosts.
Winning twice against England U-21 represented one of the biggest positives of the tour and demonstrated the progress the Indian squad had made over the course of the week.
A Hard-Fought Battle Against USA
India's second meeting against USA Under-21 produced one of the most competitive encounters of the tour. Puja Sahoo gave India the lead by converting a penalty corner in the opening quarter, putting the young side in control. However, the Americans responded in the fourth quarter through Reese Anetsberger, who converted a penalty stroke to level the scores at 1-1.
With no winner emerging in regulation time, the match moved into a shootout. Although Shashi Khasa and Geeta Yadav converted their attempts for India, the USA edged the shootout 3-2 to claim victory. While officially recorded as a shootout defeat, the performance once again underlined India's ability to compete evenly against strong international opposition.
India concluded the tour against Belgium Under-21 in another closely contested fixture. Belgium struck through Louise Van Herendael before Romanie Verhaeghe doubled the lead midway through the second half. India refused to give up, with Sukhveer Kaur pulling one goal back late in the match to ensure a tense finish. Despite the 2-1 defeat, the final performance reflected the fighting spirit the Indian side had displayed throughout the tour.
Beyond the results, the exposure tour achieved its primary objective. Competing against senior and junior international teams provided invaluable experience that cannot be replicated through domestic competition alone. The players encountered different tactical systems, higher physical intensity and varied styles of hockey, helping them improve decision-making under pressure.
Several attacking combinations clicked effectively during the tour, while the defensive unit showed increasing organisation as the matches progressed. The coaching staff will also take encouragement from the performances of players like Sukhveer Kaur, Shashi Khasa, Purnima Yadav and Puja Sahoo, all of whom made significant contributions in attack.
Reflecting on the successful tour, captain Shileima Chanu Khaidem emphasised the importance of the experience gained. She described the tour as an excellent learning opportunity, highlighting how playing against strong international opponents challenged the team to adapt quickly while identifying both strengths and areas requiring improvement.
The captain also expressed confidence that the lessons learned during the UK tour would prove invaluable as India shifts its focus towards preparations for the Women's Junior Asia Cup in China. With the tournament expected to feature Asia's strongest emerging teams, the exposure gained in Europe could play a crucial role in India's campaign.
The UK tour has provided the Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team with exactly what it needed competitive international matches, valuable tactical lessons and growing confidence. While the wins offered encouragement, the setbacks were equally important in exposing areas for improvement. As preparations now intensify for the Women's Junior Asia Cup, India returns home with a more experienced squad better equipped to challenge for continental honours.
Results
India 2–3 Scotland
Scotland: Amy Costello (27'), Zara Kennedy (38'), Heather McEwan (55')
India: Sukhveer Kaur (42'), Kajal (57')
India 1–3 Scotland
Scotland: Bronwyn Shields (7'), Zara Kennedy (11'), Charlotte Watson (56')
India: Shashi Khasa (38')
India 6–0 USA U-21
India: Sukhveer Kaur (13', 19'), Kajal (42'), Shashi Khasa (44'), Purnima Yadav (54'), Puja Sahoo (57')
India 2–0 England U-21
India: Binima Dhan (2'), Roshni Aind (45')
India 1–1 USA U-21 (USA won 3–2 in shootout)
Field Goals:
India: Puja Sahoo (15', PC)
USA: Reese Anetsberger (46', PS)
Shootout:
India: Shashi Khasa, Geeta Yadav
USA: Reese Anetsberger, Taylor Bigbie, Lilly Ricks
India 2–0 England U-21
India: Krishna Sharma (6'), Purnima Yadav (39')
India 1–2 Belgium U-21
Belgium: Louise Van Herendael (35'), Romanie Verhaeghe (48')
India: Sukhveer Kaur (57')
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