India Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 Title Defence Begins With 4-1 Win
India Make Winning Start
India opened their India Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 campaign in style, defeating South Korea 4-1 in their opening match in Moqi, China, on Saturday.
The defending champions produced a composed performance across all four quarters, with Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Purnima Yadav, Puja Sahoo and Madhu Sidar getting on the scoresheet. The victory gives India three points from their first match as they begin their bid for another title.
India entered the competition as the reigning champions, having won the previous two editions of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup.
Sanika Gives India Early Lead
India started aggressively and created several opportunities during the opening quarter.
Their pressure was rewarded in the 8th minute, when Sanika Chandrakant Mane found the back of the net to put India 1-0 ahead.
The Indian side continued to press and earned two penalty corners in the first quarter, including one in the 14th minute. However, neither opportunity was converted.
South Korea remained within touching distance at the end of the opening quarter, but India had already established control of the contest.
Purnima Doubles the Advantage
India continued their attacking approach in the second quarter and won another penalty corner within the opening five minutes.
The initial attempt resulted in a re-awarded penalty corner, but India were unable to convert.
South Korea then responded with increased pressure and earned two penalty corners within five minutes as they searched for an equaliser.
India’s defence held firm.
The Indian team regained control before the end of the half and earned another penalty corner in the closing moments of the second quarter.
This time, the variation worked perfectly.
Purnima Yadav finished the move in the 30th minute, giving India a 2-0 lead at half-time.
Puja Sahoo Makes It 3-0
South Korea came out with greater attacking intent after the interval, looking to reduce the deficit.
India, however, remained organised defensively and continued to threaten on the counter.
Their persistence eventually paid off in the dying moments of the third quarter.
India earned another penalty corner and successfully converted it, with Puja Sahoo finding the net to extend the lead to 3-0.
The three-goal advantage gave India significant control heading into the final quarter.
Madhu Completes India’s Four-Goal Haul
India continued to attack in the fourth quarter despite already holding a comfortable lead.
They earned another penalty corner seven minutes into the quarter, although South Korea managed to deal with the threat.
India continued to dominate possession and territory, and their pressure eventually produced another goal.
In the 51st minute, Madhu Sidar scored to make it 4-0.
South Korea continued fighting and eventually found a consolation goal in the 57th minute. KIL Gabin converted following a penalty-corner variation to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
India remained composed during the final minutes and closed out a convincing 4-1 victory.
Malaysia Up Next
The victory gives India three points from their opening game and an ideal start to their title defence.
The Indian Junior Women’s Hockey Team will next face Malaysia on September 6, before taking on Japan and hosts China in their remaining matches of the league stage.
India’s campaign will be closely watched after their strong preparation ahead of the tournament. Under newly appointed coach Tim White, the team had completed a productive exposure tour of the United Kingdom in July, including matches against Scotland, the United States, England and Belgium.
For now, though, the defending champions have made the perfect start: four goals scored, one conceded and three points secured.
