India reaches Junior Women’s Asia Cup final with 5-1 win over South Korea

Defending champions India have booked their place in the final of the Junior Women’s Asia Cup on Saturday, courtesy a hat-trick from Supriya in a 5-1 semi-final win against South Korea.

The drag-flick specialist scored three penalty corners as India ran away with the semifinal to be one win away from retaining their continental title. Supriya found the net in the second and final quarters while Madhu Sidar and Sukhveer Kaur also got on the scoresheet for India.

Yuri Jeong scored the only goal for South Korea from a penalty corner in the third quarter. India fought back hard, blanking South Korea in the last quarter to win convincingly.

The semifinal saw India enter in good form after a 19-0 thrashing of Pakistan in the quarterfinals. The team also topped its group after beating Japan, Malaysia and South Korea and drawing with host China.

The win booked India’s third successive Junior Women’s Asia Cup final. India won the last two editions in 2023 and 2024 and are looking for a third successive title.

China came through the other semi-final. All India Radio said India will meet hosts China in the final.