HOCKEY

The Indian Junior Women’s hockey team continued its dominant run at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026, cruising to a commanding 7-0 victory over Japan in its third Elite Pool encounter in Moqi, China, on Tuesday.

The win saw India maintain its perfect record in the tournament and secure its place in the quarterfinals.

Having opened its campaign with a 4-1 win over Korea before registering an 11-1 victory against Malaysia, India carried its attacking momentum into the clash against Japan and took control of proceedings right from the start.

India’s early pressure was rewarded in the fifth minute when Krishna Sharma found the back of the net to give the Indian side a 1-0 lead. The advantage was doubled in the ninth minute after a foul by a Japanese defender inside the circle resulted in a penalty stroke. Supriya stepped up and made no mistake from the spot to put India 2-0 ahead.

Purnima Yadav scored a field goal in the 14th minute as India finished the first quarter with a commanding 3-0 lead.

India then scored three goals in the space of five minutes in the third quarter. Geeta Yadav smashed a field goal in the 41st minute to make it 4-0 before completing her brace in the 45th minute, further strengthening India’s commanding position.

India continued its dominance and added another goal just a minute later. Purnima found the back of the net in the 46th minute to complete her brace and take India’s lead to 6-0 at the end of the third quarter. The rout was completed in the 50th minute when Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored her first goal of the match.

India will next face China on September 9 in their final pool match, with the encounter set to determine the top position in the pool.

-Sportstar News Desk

Published on Sep 08, 2026