Moqi, September 8, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
The Indian junior women’s hockey team continued its dominant campaign at the 2026 Junior Asia Cup, defeating Japan 7-0 in their third Elite Pool match on Tuesday to secure a place in the quarter-finals.
India remained unbeaten with three consecutive wins and nine points, putting them at the top of the Elite Pool. They will face China in their final pool match on Wednesday, with the result set to determine the group leader. China have six points from two matches.
India entered the contest on the back of convincing wins over Korea and Malaysia, having defeated Korea 4-1 before registering an emphatic 11-1 victory against Malaysia.
Krishna Sharma opened the scoring in the fifth minute as India made their early pressure count. Japan then conceded a penalty stroke in the ninth minute after a defender committed a foul inside the circle, and Supriya converted confidently to double India’s lead.
Purnima Yadav added India’s third goal with a field strike in the 14th minute, giving the team a 3-0 advantage at the end of the opening quarter.
Japan showed greater attacking intent in the second quarter but struggled to break through India’s defence. Neither side added to the score before half-time.
India’s defence remained equally effective after the interval as Japan searched for a way back into the contest. India then produced another decisive attacking spell, scoring three times in five minutes.
Geeta Yadav struck in the 41st minute before completing her brace in the 45th. Purnima Yadav followed a minute later with her second goal, taking India’s lead to 6-0 at the end of the third quarter.
Sanika Chandrakant Mane completed the scoring in the 50th minute with her first goal of the match. India comfortably controlled the remainder of the contest to complete another emphatic victory.
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