India win the 2023 Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup, beat South Korea 2-1, in Japan
India made history by winning their maiden Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup title in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Sunday. They defeated South Korea 2-1 in a thrilling final match that showcased their skill and resilience.
A dream come true for India
The Indian team had already qualified for the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile by reaching the final of the continental tournament. But they were not satisfied with just that. They wanted to win the gold medal and create history for their country.
They had a tough opponent in South Korea, who had also beaten them 3-2 in the group stage. But India showed their character and determination by bouncing back from that loss and winning all their knockout matches.
In the final, India took the lead in the 21st minute through Annu, who converted a penalty stroke after a foul by a Korean defender. However, South Korea equalized three minutes later through Seoyeon Park, who scored a field goal from a quick counter-attack.
The match was evenly poised at 1-1 at half-time, with both teams creating chances and defending well. The decisive moment came in the 40th minute when Neelam scored from a penalty corner to give India a 2-1 lead.
India then defended their lead with courage and discipline, keeping South Korea at bay and denying them any clear opportunities. The final whistle sparked scenes of joy and celebration among the Indian players and staff, who had achieved something remarkable.
A proud moment for Indian hockey
The victory was not only a personal achievement for the players but also a proud moment for Indian hockey. India became the first team other than China and South Korea to win the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup since its inception in 1988.
India also emulated their male counterparts, who had won the Men’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup earlier this month by beating Pakistan in the final. This was the first time that both the men’s and women’s junior teams of India had won the Asian titles in the same year.
The success of the junior teams also bodes well for the future of Indian hockey, as they have shown their potential and talent on the international stage. They will now look forward to representing their country at the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 in Chile later this year.
A word of appreciation from Hockey India
Hockey India congratulated the Indian junior women’s team for their historic feat and announced cash rewards for them. The players will receive Rs 2 lakh each, while the support staff will receive Rs 1 lakh each.
Hockey India President Gyanendro Ningombam said, “This is a very proud moment for Indian hockey. The Indian junior women’s team has created history by winning the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup for the first time. They have shown great skill, spirit, and determination throughout the tournament and have made the country proud.”
He added, “I congratulate all the players, coaches and support staff for this wonderful achievement. I also thank the Government of India, Sports Authority of India, Odisha Government and all our sponsors for their continued support to Indian hockey.”
