India junior women’s hockey team hope to begin Three-Nation tournament on positive note against New Zealand

The Indian junior women’s team started its campaign at the three-nation tournament on a positive note, beating New Zealand 2-0 in Canberra on Wednesday.

Striker Lalrindiki (15th minute) and midfielder Prabhleen Kaur (60th) were the two goal scorers for the winners. India started the match with an aggressive brand of hockey, pinning down New Zealand in their own half. New Zealand had defeated hosts Australia 3-1 in their first match on Tuesday.

India’s dominance in the opening quarter saw them win an early penalty corner in the third minute, but they failed to utilise the chance. A defensive lapse from New Zealand then handed India a golden opportunity at the stroke of the quarter break and Lalrindiki found herself with enough space in front of the goal to slot the ball home.