The Indian junior women's hockey team has won the Asian Cup title for the third consecutive time. In the final match held in China, India defeated the host team with a score of 1:0. With this victory, India also qualified for the Junior Women's Hockey World Cup.
The hero of this triumph for the Indian team was Sanika Chandrakant, who gave the team the advantage with a goal in the 17th minute. The start of the final was difficult for both teams. China initially controlled the ball and tried to put pressure on India. However, the Indian defense demonstrated brilliant play, and China failed to create serious scoring opportunities.
India's chance came in the second quarter. In the 17th minute, Sanika executed a magnificent maneuver, dribbling past a Chinese defender and approaching the goal. After that, she made an excellent deflection, and the ball went straight into the net, giving India a 1:0 lead.
After conceding the goal, China intensified its attempts to equalize and earned the only penalty of the match. China scored at that moment, but the goal was not recognized as valid because the ball hit above the established height on the back post of the goal.
Subsequently, India tried to increase the lead. Two minutes before the break, Indian captain Haidem Shelem Chanu had a chance to score, but the Chinese goalkeeper made a magnificent save. At halftime, India maintained a 1:0 lead.
In the second half, China began to play more aggressively, constantly trying to equalize with the hosts. In the third quarter, China had another good chance, but the Indian defense timely recognized the danger and prevented the goal by stopping the pass.
The final quarter was very tense. China continuously tried to penetrate the Indian circle, but the Indian players strengthened their defense and did not allow China to score. In the end, India maintained the 1:0 lead, winning the Asian Cup for the third consecutive time.
It is worth noting that throughout the tournament, the Indian team did not lose a single match. The team won three games in the elite pool and drew one match. In the semi-finals, India decisively beat South Korea 5:1, and then, by defeating China 1:0 in the final, retained the status of reigning champion. The team's triumph strengthened its strong position in junior women's hockey.
Hockey India announced a reward for the team's success: each player will be paid 300 thousand rupees, and each support staff member will receive 150 thousand rupees.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also congratulated the Indian junior women's hockey team on the victory. He wrote on social media platform X that this is a proud moment for Indian hockey. He highly praised the team for retaining the Asian Cup title and its undefeated streak throughout the tournament. PM Modi stated that the team's success demonstrates the talent and determination of the athletes, and wished the entire team success in the future.