Oman
India Defends Title at Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024, Beats China in Thrilling Shootout. India’s Under-21 women’s hockey team successfully defended their title at the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2024 after defeating China in a nail-biting shootout on Sunday. The final, held in Muscat, Oman, saw India triumph 3-2 in penalties after a tense 1-1 draw in regulation time.
Kanika Siwach played a pivotal role, scoring the equalizer for India in the third quarter. However, it was goalkeeper Nidhi who emerged as the star of the match, making three crucial saves during the penalty shootout to secure back-to-back titles for India.
Match Highlights
The game began with both teams matching each other’s intensity. Despite India earning two penalty corners in the first quarter, China’s defense held firm.
In the second quarter, China gained momentum and struck first. With just 14 seconds remaining before halftime, Jinzhuang Tan (30’) converted a penalty stroke to give China the lead.
India came out stronger in the third quarter. Combining quick passes, Sunelita Toppo and Deepika set up Kanika Siwach (41’), who netted a clinical field goal to bring India level at 1-1. The final quarter saw both sides pressing for a winner. India missed a penalty corner opportunity with Deepika’s shot narrowly missing the target, while China also failed to convert a similar chance.
With the score tied at the end of regulation time, the match headed into a tense penalty shootout.
Deepika Sehrawat emerged as the top scorer of the tournament, finishing with an impressive tally of 12 goals.
Shootout Drama
India held their nerve during the shootout. Nidhi’s exceptional goalkeeping proved decisive as she made three key saves. Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunelita Toppo scored for India to seal the 3-2 victory.
India Qualifies for FIH Junior World Cup 2025
This triumph marked the second consecutive Women’s Junior Asia Cup title for India, who won their maiden championship last year by defeating the Republic of Korea.
The eighth edition of the tournament also served as a qualifier for the FIH Women’s Hockey Junior World Cup 2025 in Chile. With this win, India joins the top five teams from the competition in securing their spot for next year’s global event.
