Indian junior women beat Belgium 2-1 again

Antwerp

India’s junior women’s hockey team continued its strong run with a 2-1 win over Belgium in Antwerp. The match, held at the Hockey Center of Excellence, saw goals from Lalthantluangi and Geeta Yadav seal India’s second straight win on the European tour.

The first two quarters ended without any goals, with both teams showing solid defense. India broke the deadlock in the 35th minute when Lalthantluangi converted a penalty stroke. Belgium hit back with a field goal by Van Hellemont in the 48th minute.

However, just two minutes later, Geeta Yadav scored the winner with a neat field goal. India held their ground firmly in the last 10 minutes to secure the win.

This game followed India’s earlier 3-2 victory over Belgium at the same venue. The team now heads into the final match of their European tour, once again against Belgium, on June 12.

Before coming to Europe, the Indian juniors played in the Four Nations Tournament in Rosario, Argentina. There, they had a mixed run with a 2-1 win and a shootout loss to Chile, a shootout win and a loss to Argentina, and two wins over Uruguay.

These international games are important for India’s preparations for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2025. The tournament will be held in Santiago, Chile, this December. With every win, the Indian team is gaining valuable experience and confidence ahead of the global competition.