Indian U-18 Women’s Hockey Team in Semi-Finals of Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games

Buenos Aires (Argentina), 12 October 2018: A confident Indian U-18 Women’s Hockey team on Friday defeated Poland 3-0 in their Quarter-Final match of the Hockey 5s competition of the Buenos Aires 2018 Youth Olympic Games held here at the Parque Polideportivo Roca. India’s Lalremsiami (10′), Captain Salima Tete (14′) and Baljeet Kaur (14′) contributed to the team’s victory with a goal each against the Polish team.

The first period started with Poland finding the first chance in the 2nd minute as Viktoria Zimmermann tested the Indian Goalkeeper Bichu Kharibam. India’s Mumtaz Khan also had a chance in the same minute but could not get past the Polish Goalkeeper. Both the teams tried to get into the rhythm and find an opening to take the lead, but it was only in the last minute of the first period that Indian Forward Lalremsiami made the breakthrough as she scored past Poland’s Goalkeeper Nicole Chruszcz to give India an important lead.

The second period was a crucial one in the context of the match as Poland looked for an equalizer, whereas India wanted to extend their lead and secure a Semi-Final spot. India also had a few chances in the opening couple of minutes, but it was only in the 14th minute where the Indian team delivered with two more goals as Captain Salima Tete scored first and 54 seconds later, it was Baljeet Kaur’s turn to register her name on the score-sheet. The two quick-fire goals in the 14th minute meant that India took a 3-0 lead which was eventually enough for them as Poland could not trouble the Indian defence.

The win for the Indian U-18 Women’s team means that they have advanced to the Semi-Final match of the competition which will be held on 13th October 2018.

Meanwhile, Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team will play Argentina in the Semi Finals on 13th at 22.30 hours IST.