India launched its FIH Women’s Junior World Cup 2025 campaign with a commanding 13-0 victory over Namibia in Santiago, Chile, on Monday, signaling a powerful statement of intent in its pursuit of a deep tournament run. The team delivered a complete performance marked by clinical finishing, tireless pressing and near-total control across all four quarters.
Kanika Siwach and Hina Bano emerged as the standout performers of the match, each registering a hat-trick. Both players showcased their versatility, scoring twice from open play and once from Penalty Corner situations. Their sharpness inside the striking circle set the tone for India’s relentless attacking display. Sakshi Rana also made a significant impact, netting a brace, while Ishika, Sonam, Binima Dhan, Sakshi Shukla and Manisha contributed one goal each to round out a dominant scoreline.
India’s success stemmed not only from its attacking prowess but also from its effectiveness in set-piece situations. The team earned a total of 13 Penalty Corners and converted five, with three of those goals coming during a particularly explosive third quarter. The precision and variety in India’s penalty routines highlighted the squad’s preparation and confidence heading into the tournament.
Equally impressive was India’s defensive discipline. The side did not concede a single Penalty Corner and restricted Namibia to just two circle entries throughout the match, underscoring the gulf in control and organization. The backline and midfield worked cohesively to shut down counterattacks and maintain constant territorial dominance.
In the other Pool C fixture of the day, Germany defeated Ireland 7-1, setting up a crucial clash between India and Germany on Wednesday. The match is likely to play a significant role in determining the group leader before India concludes its pool-stage campaign against Ireland on Friday.
With a resounding opening win and strong individual performances across the board, India has built early momentum in Santiago. The challenge now lies in sustaining that level of execution as the competition intensifies in the matches ahead.
