On a day of high-intensity hockey deciding positions nine through 16, India went down fighting to Spain 1-2 to finish 10th, as South Africa, Ireland and Japan also wrapped up their campaigns with authoritative performances on Day 11 of the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup.

South Africa’s emphatic win over Korea set the tone for the day, with the team determined to finish on a high. Ireland relied on collective discipline to defeat Wales and secure 13th place, while Japan showed greater precision to overcome a resilient Uruguay side in a closely contested South American-Asian encounter.

The marquee contest of the day featured India and Spain, two teams whose overall quality suggested they could have been among the top eight. Their clash for ninth place delivered high technical standards and sustained intensity, with Spain rewarded for greater clarity in decisive moments. Friday will determine positions from fifth to eighth and from 17th to 20th, while Saturday will host the grand final between Argentina and the Netherlands.

India and Spain produced a high-level contest, with Spain displaying sharper circulation and cleaner exits from the back. Persistent movement down the right flank eventually paid off in the second quarter when a driven cross was delicately deflected by Natalia Vilanova to give Spain a 1-0 lead in the 15th minute. India struggled to generate circle entries in the first half and relied heavily on defensive work inside the 23m.

Drama intensified in the third quarter. India briefly thought they had equalised, only for the goal to be overturned following a video umpire referral for an infringement. Moments later, Spain struck from a penalty corner, with Esther Canales producing a low, firm finish in the 35th minute to make it 2-0 and claim her second goal of the match. India responded through a penalty corner converted by Kanika Siwach, whose low effort bounced awkwardly to wrong-foot the goalkeeper in the 41st minute. Spain controlled the closing stages to secure ninth place, leaving India to finish 10th.

Player of the Match Teresa Sáenz de Santa María said, “Today was very close, but I think we stayed on our plan and worked well as a team. We started very low, that’s true, but we kept pushing and improved throughout the match. I can’t wait for the next game, thank you very much.”

Among Asian teams, India finished second only to China, while Japan placed 11th and Korea ended 16th. Malaysia will face Austria in the bottom group playoff, while China will play Belgium in the bronze medal match.

South Africa asserted control from the outset at the Centro Deportivo de Hockey Césped, managing tempo through long circulations and sustained pressure in the attacking third. High pressing produced early rewards, with Anja Tromp opening the scoring in the third minute following a short sequence after a penalty corner. South Africa remained structurally solid in the second quarter, as Thabelani Metu doubled the lead in the 19th minute before Ntsopa Mokoena completed a transition move for 3-0 in the 24th. Three consecutive penalty corner executions between the 29th and 30th minutes further underlined their dominance before halftime.

After the break, South Africa maintained rhythm through controlled exits and varied attacking patterns. Tromp added her second goal from a penalty corner in the 36th minute, making it 4-0. Game management and disciplined pressure defined the final phase, with a drag-flick variation leading to Teshawn de la Rey’s 5-0 goal in the 56th minute. Korea earned five penalty corners but was unable to convert against a well-organized South African defense. South Africa finished 15th, while Korea concluded the tournament in 16th place.

After the match, Ntsopa Mokoena said, “We came here with a mission to perform, and even though the tournament wasn’t so good in the middle, we decided to finish it on a good note. The key learning is to stay united, play as a team, trust one another and give your best in every moment. Thank you to everyone at home for supporting us, we really appreciate it.”

Ireland took early territorial control against Wales, repeatedly entering the Welsh 23m through stable circulation and sustained pressure. In the first quarter, Ireland earned four circle entries and three consecutive penalty corners before Matilde Errico opened the scoring with a deflection in the 13th minute. Wales attempted to respond through transitions but struggled to convert early opportunities. Ireland continued to force penalty corners in the second quarter, while Wales held firm with a low defensive block.

Possession was more evenly shared in the third quarter, though Ireland managed their phases more effectively. In the final quarter, Ireland capitalized on two penalty corners, with Milla Fulton scoring directly in the 52nd minute before Amy Handcock added a third two minutes later. Ireland secured 13th place, with Wales finishing 14th.

Player of the Match Milla Fulton said, “I’m really happy we managed to end on a high today. We knew it would be tough, but we really came out strong and it was a good win for us. I’m really happy with the performance and looking forward to the next steps.”

Japan and Uruguay contested a tightly balanced match marked by compact defensive structures and alternating possession. The opening quarter featured cautious buildup, with Japan registering seven circle entries and Uruguay four, all denied by disciplined defensive lines. Uruguay earned three consecutive penalty corners in the second quarter but could not break through Japan’s compact setup.

Japan found the decisive breakthrough early in the third quarter. A short aerial pass set up a double touch inside the circle, where Sana Hayasuke finished from close range in the 33rd minute to give Japan a 1-0 lead. Uruguay earned another penalty corner in the final quarter but lacked clear execution options. Japan managed the closing minutes effectively to finish 11th, while Uruguay concluded the tournament in 12th place.

Uruguay’s Sol Martínez said, “Despite the final result, we are extremely proud of what we achieved here. Finishing in this position is historic for Uruguay. Even though today was not our day, this makes us stronger. The main lesson is that we are right there, and it all comes down to details. We will keep working.”

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