Boston, Aug 16 (IANS) Rani Devi struck a brace as India beat New Zealand 2-0 to finish ninth in the Women’s Junior World Cup at Harvard University’s Jordan Field here Sunday.
Rani struck in the 25th and 69th minutes and finished as the leading scorer for India with seven goals.

India enoyed much of ball possession throughout the first half and the quartet of Rani, Roselin Dung Dung, Ritu Rani and Poonam Rani made regular forays in the New Zealand defence and won three penalty corners.

India finally opened its account in the 25th minute, after Rani charged in from the right flank and slotted it past the New Zealand goalkeeper.

New Zealand came close to equalising in the dying minutes of the first-half, but found it tough to get past Indian defenders Sandeep Kaur and Joydeep Kaur and an alert goalkeer Jasdeep Kaur.

New Zealand came out well prepared in the second half and earned four penalty corners, but drag-flickers Katie Glynn and Bridget Blackwood failed to convert even one.

In the final minutes, they gambled to restore parity pulling out their keeper Nicola Howes and inserting a kick-back.

This strategy backfired as India capitalised with a turnover opportunity allowing Rani to score again in the 69th minute.