India vs China Junior Asia Cup Final: Sanika Mane strike seals title three-peat, World Cup spot

Moqi: The Indian women's junior hockey team successfully retained their Junior Asia Cup title after securing a narrow 1-0 victory over host nation China in the final on Sunday.

Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute to seal the championship for India and guarantee qualification for the FIH Junior World Cup.

The victory marks a hat-trick of AHF Junior Asia Cup titles for the Indian side, having lifted the trophy in the previous two editions. The squad achieved the milestone following a structured training programme under head coach Tim White, who took over the role earlier this year.

Following the triumph, Hockey India announced cash incentives for the team, awarding 3 lakh rupees to each player and 1.5 lakh rupees to every member of the support staff.

India and China fought out a tightly contested, goalless opening quarter. The breakthrough arrived early in the second quarter when Sanika converted in the 17th minute, giving India a 1-0 advantage that they preserved until the half-time interval.

The Indian defence successfully defended the single-goal lead across the third quarter, frustrating the hosts and keeping them off the scoresheet. The team maintained their defensive discipline through the final whistle to clinch the 1-0 win and claim their third consecutive continental title.

India reached the summit clash following a 5-1 semi-final victory over South Korea, powered by a hat-trick from drag-flick specialist Supriya, which followed a dominant 19-0 win against Pakistan in the quarter-finals.

The team completed the pool stage unbeaten, gathering 10 points from three wins and a draw to top the Elite Pool on goal difference.

IANS