India finished a disappointing 10th in the 11th FIH Women Junior Hockey World Cup, which was held in Santiago, Chile from 1 to 13 December 2025. In the classification match for ninth and 10th positions, India lost to Spain 1-2 on December 11. The Netherlands won the gold medal, defeating Argentina in the final 2-1 today. Belgium secured the bronze medal, trouncing China 5-1 earlier in the day.
India all hopes of a podium finish as they failed to qualify for the quarterfinals. Placed in Pool C, India won two league matches against Namibia and Ireland, but lost to Germany. Overall, India played six matches, won four and lost two.
Despite participating in the FIH Women Junior World Cup since its inception in 1989, India has won only one bronze medal till date. India secured the bronze medal in the 2013 edition, held in Monchengladbach, Germany.
INDIAN JUNIOR WOMEN HOCKEY SQUAD: Goalkeepers: Nidhi, Engil Harsha Rani Minz. Defenders: Manisha, Lalthanlualangi, Sakshi Shukla, Puja Sahoo, Nandini. Mid-fielders: Sakshi Rana, Ishika, Sunelita Toppo, Jyoti Singh, Khaidem Shileima Chanu, Binima Dhan. Forwards: Sonam, Purnima Yadav, Kanika Siwach, Hina Bano, Sukhveer Kaur. Alternate Players: Priyanka Yadav, Parwati Topno. Chief Coach: Tushar Khandker.
INDIA RESULTS:
1 Dec 2025 (League match): India (Sakshi Rana 10-FG, 23-FG, Kanika Siwach 12-FG, 30-FG, 45-PC, Binima Dhan 14-FG, Sonam 14-FG, Sakshi Shukla 27-PC, Hina Bano 35-FG, 35-FG, 45-PC, Ishika 36-PC, Manisha 60-PC) beat Namibia 13-0.
3 Dec 2025 (League match): India (Hina Bano 58-PC) lost to Germany (Lena Frerichs 5-PS, Annika Schonhoff 52-FG, Martina Reisenegger 59-PC) 1-3.
5 Dec 2025 (League match): India (Kanika Siwach 12-FG, Purnima Yadav 42-PC, 58-FG, Sakshi Rana 57-FG) beat Ireland 4-0.
7 Dec 2025 (Classification match): India (Hina Bano 14-FG, Sunelita Toppo 24-FG, Ishika 31-FG) beat Wales (Eloise Moat 52-FG) 3-1.
9 Dec 2025 (Classification match): India (Manisha 19-FG) drew with Uruguay (Justina Arregui 60-PS) 1-1. Shootout: India (Purnima Yadav, Ishika, Kanika Siwach) beat Uruguay (Augstina Guerrero) 3-1.
11 Dec 2025 (9th/10th place Classification match): India (Kanika Siwach 41-PC) lost to Spain (Natalia Vilanova 16-FG, Esther Canales 36-PC) 1-2.
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PHOTO: Odisha players (L-R) Puja Sahoo, Sunelita Toppo and Engil Harsha Rani Minz pose after getting selected for the Women Junior Hockey World Cup 2025.