Pooja Malik scored a hat-trick, while four players netted braces and seven others scored singles.

Moqi (China): The Indian junior women's hockey team delivered a breathtaking performance in the quarter-finals of the 2026 Women's Junior Asia Cup in Moqi, China, sweeping aside rivals Pakistan with an emphatic 19-0 victory. The defending champions controlled the contest from the opening whistle, securing a place in the semi-finals in commanding fashion. Puja Sahoo initiated the goal rush in the seventh minute, laying the foundation for a relentless offensive barrage that left Pakistan's defence completely overwhelmed throughout the match.
First-Half Blitz and Goalscoring Mastery
India established total supremacy early in the match, building a massive 10-0 advantage before the half-time interval. Forward Pooja Malik led the scoreline with a spectacular hat-trick, registering goals in the 27th, 49th, and 51st minutes. Four other Indian players, Roshni Aind, Sanika Chandrakant Mane, Madhu Sidar, and Supriya, each netted a brace, while Tanushree Dinesh Kadu, Sukhveer Kaur, Geeta Yadav, Tanuja Toppo, Purnima Yadav, Krishna Sharma, and Binima Dhan also added their names to an expansive scoresheet.
Chasing a Third Consecutive Continental Crown
India's ruthless win brings the aggregate goal tally to 41 across five matches in China. The national squad now stands just two wins away from completing an unparalleled hat-trick of Women's Junior Asia Cup titles, having previously lifted the trophy in 2023 and 2024. India will face the winner of the quarter-final encounter between South Korea and Malaysia in the semi-finals as they pursue another continental title.
Published: 10 Sept 2026, 12:48 pm IST
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Get Latest Mathrubhumi Updates in English
Disclaimer: Kindly avoid objectionable, derogatory, unlawful and lewd comments, while responding to reports. Such comments are punishable under cyber laws. Please keep away from personal attacks. The opinions expressed here are the personal opinions of readers and not that of Mathrubhumi.

