The Indian team clinched their maiden Women’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup title at Kakamigahara in Japan with a 2-1 win over the Republic of Korea in the final.
After the Men’s Junior team, the Indian Women’s team also won the Junior Hockey Asia Cup title by defeating Republic of Korea 2-1. Earlier this month, the Indian team won the Men’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament after beating arch-rivals Pakistan in the final.
India started the game on an attacking note by winning a penalty corner in the opening minute of the game, but they failed to transform it into a goal. Later, Korea started to control the game that continued in the second quarter as well. But in the 22nd minute, India took the lead through Annu who calmly converted a penalty stroke.
India’s lead did not last long as Seoyeon Park scored an equaliser for Korea in the 25th minute. both teams went into the half-time break with the score levelled at 1-1.
In the second half of the match the Indian team counter-attacked and finally Neelam brilliantly converted a penalty corner to put India ahead in the third quarter. Ultimately, India stood strong to win the final 2-1.
With this win, India secured a spot in the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile. Hockey India Executive Board has announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for each player, while the support staff will receive Rs 1 lakh each.
