"VAN" (Sports Desk - 04.12.2025) :: Day 3 of the FIH Hockey Women's Junior World Cup City of Santiago 2025 was defined by the supremacy of the Netherlands, who once again delivered an outstanding performance with an 8–0 win over Japan to underline their status as leading title contenders, with 18 goals scored and none conceded so far. The United States also maintained their strong form with a solid 4–0 victory against Korea, while Germany collected a second consecutive win by defeating India 3–1.
The day's biggest emotion came in the closing match, as hosts Chile ignited celebrations in the stands with a dramatic 1–0 victory over Malaysia that keeps them alive in Pool A ahead of a decisive clash with Japan on Friday. New Zealand and Uruguay produced the most entertaining draw of the day, a 3–3 result that leaves the battle in their pool wide open, while the programme had opened with Ireland's 4–1 win over Namibia, in which the European side controlled proceedings from the start.
Below, we take a detailed look at everything that unfolded on Day 3 in Santiago.
Ireland vs Namibia (Full-Time Score: 4–1)
Ireland took the initiative from the start on the synthetic surface of the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped at the National Stadium, generating six circle entries in the first quarter and opening the scoring in the 1st minute through Hollai Quinn. Namibia tried to hold a compact block, but Ireland extended their lead in the second quarter: Quinn struck again in the 16th minute and Milla Fulton added the 3–0 in the 18th minute, during a phase in which the Europeans put together two penalty corner sequences that kept the game inside the Namibian 23 metres.
After half-time, Ireland maintained controlled build-up and reached 4–0 beyond the midway point of the third quarter, when Maia McCourt finished off another phase of high circulation. Namibia produced their best attacking spell in the final stages, earning two consecutive penalty corners and pulling one back in the 58th minute through Anthea Coetzee. In the closing minutes, Ireland managed their advantage with a compact structure inside their own 23 and limited Namibia's circle entries through to the final whistle.
Team captain Amy Handcock said, "We're happy with our overall performance, we would have liked to not compete towards the end, but overall, we're really happy."
India vs Germany (Full-Time Score: 1–3)
Germany seized the initiative from the start, producing six circle entries in the first quarter and opening the scoring in the 4th minute with a penalty stroke converted by Lena Frerichs. India responded with two consecutive penalty corner attempts, but were unable to generate effective shots. In the second quarter, Germany extended their territorial dominance with twelve circle entries and another stroke opportunity in the 29th minute, which on this occasion was not converted. India tried to counter through long transitions, but struggled to sustain possession in the attacking third.
After the break, Germany kept their high press and forced India to drop deep inside their own 23 by winning four consecutive penalty corners in the early stages of the third quarter. In the final phase, Germany widened the gap with a field goal from Annika Schönhoff and, a few minutes later, Martina Reisenegger made it 3–0 after another set-piece sequence. India reduced the deficit three minutes from time, when Hina Bano scored following their third penalty corner sequence in what was their most productive attacking spell of the match. Germany managed the closing minutes with a compact structure and controlled outlets, securing top spot in the pool with back-to-back victories.
Player of the Match Johanna Hachenberg said, "I think our performance was good, but we can do it better because sometimes we had a rollercoaster game. We need to keep our level through the whole match, but we’re happy to win today."
New Zealand vs Uruguay (Full-Time Score: 3–3)
New Zealand started the match with five circle entries in the first quarter, but it was Uruguay who opened the scoring in the 9th minute, as Valentina Luis finished off their first penalty corner sequence. The Oceania side levelled at 1–1 in the 14th minute through Greer Findlay from a set play. The pattern continued in the second quarter: Uruguay regained the lead in the 17th minute with a deflection by Sofía Trigo after two consecutive PCs and stretched the score to 3–1 in the 26th minute, when Melina Haidukowski converted again from a penalty corner. New Zealand reduced the deficit to 3–2 in the 20th minute thanks to a drag-flick from Niamh McKenzie, leaving a 3–2 half-time score after a phase marked by heavy activity from set pieces.
On the restart, both teams registered just one circle entry each in the third quarter, with Uruguay protecting their lead through a mid-block and good control of transitions, while New Zealand looked for access from the flanks to regain presence in the final third. In the last quarter, New Zealand increased their territorial pressure, generated four consecutive circle entries and finally equalised 3–3 in the 58th minute when Georgie Shotter scored from a penalty corner. Uruguay closed the game by protecting their own 23 in the final seconds to secure the point and second place in Pool F.
Uruguay's Player of the Match, Silvina Bonaudi, said, "It was a very tough match, we were ahead for most of the game and the end was very tight. The draw leaves us with a good overall balance and now we are waiting for the United States result to see where we
finish in the pool."
Korea vs United States (Full-Time Score: 0–4)
The United States imposed themselves from the very beginning, recording ten circle entries in the first quarter and applying constant pressure on the Korean defence. The opening goal arrived in the 10th minute, when Mary Adams converted from a penalty corner to make it 1–0. In the second quarter, Andrea Bradley's team kept their territorial control, added six more circle entries and extended the lead to 2–0 in the 23rd minute with a field goal from Maci Bradford after a rapid attacking move down the right. Korea responded with a few long outlets, but were unable to generate penalty corners or clear shots inside the circle.
After half-time, the United States accelerated again from set pieces, winning three consecutive penalty corners at the start of the third quarter and making it 3–0 in the 42nd minute when Alaina McVeigh deflected from the penalty spot area. Korea managed just one circle entry in that phase and struggled under the high press on their outlet. In the final quarter, the North American team maintained their tempo and closed out the 4–0 result in the 49th minute, when Mia Abello turned another penalty corner into a goal, capping a performance that included 25 circle entries and nine short corners executed. With this win, the United States stay top of their pool and secure a place in the next round of the Junior World Cup.
Player of the Match Mia Schoenbeck said, "We played really well together, I think we flowed well and kept fighting through the entire match, we stayed 0–0 in our heads and it was just a great match."
Japan vs Netherlands (Full-Time Score: 0–8)
The Netherlands asserted their authority from the outset as evening fell at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, registering seven circle entries in the first quarter and opening the scoring in the 10th minute through Guusje Moes. Their dominance continued before half-time, with Imke Verstraeten making it 2–0 in the 20th minute from a penalty corner, while Japan managed just one circle entry and were forced to defend deep near their circle.
After the restart, the Dutch high press translated into three goals in the third quarter: Iris de Kemp extended the lead in the 31st minute, Trijntje Beljaars added the fourth in the 36th minute and captain Noor van den Nieuwenhof scored the 5–0 in the 43rd minute, also from a set play. Far from easing off, the Netherlands closed the 8–0 win in the final phase with another goal from de Kemp, a second from Beljaars and Moes completing her brace in the 56th minute. The performance included 30 circle entries, six penalty corners and three conversions. With this result, the Pool A leaders now have 18 goals scored and none conceded in their first two matches, securing their place in the next phase and reinforcing their status as strong contenders for the title.
Player of the Match Trijntje Beljaars said, "We are very happy with the eight goals today. It was a tough match, they were really quick on their feet and we had to adjust to the umpire’s whistles, but we kept our level and it’s great to score so many."
Chile vs Malaysia (Full-Time Score: 1–0)
Chile closed the day with a dramatic victory that sparked celebrations among the home crowd at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped. The hosts carried the weight of the match from the beginning, accumulating thirteen penalty corners and twelve circle entries, but were repeatedly denied by a disciplined Malaysian low block that reduced space around the circle.
Alejandro Gómez's team kept their attacking intent after half-time and finally found the breakthrough in the 58th minute, when Javiera Saenz capitalised on another set-piece sequence to make it 1–0. Malaysia, who produced only two circle entries across the whole match, focused on cutting passing lanes and slowing Chile's possession, but were unable to hold on for the draw in the closing stages. With this win, Chile remain in contention in Pool A and will face Japan on Friday in a direct shoot-out for a place in the next phase.
Goalkeeper Laura Müller was named Player of the Match after a decisive display in the few defensive situations Chile had to negotiate. Speaking after the win, the Chilean said, "We are very happy with the result, it was tight until the very last minute, but we fought all the way. Now my mind is already on Japan, we know how important that match will be for us."
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