(Hockey news) India and Korea were the two fearless and dominant teams in Pool A winning three hockey matches comprehensively. They played out an entertaining draw in their head-to-head rivalry, resulting in both the teams earning qualification for the semi-finals, with India topping the group table because of their superior goal difference in the pool matches they have played.
In Pool B, it was China on top, winning all four of their pool matches, and Japan who was the hosts of the hockey tournament, finished second with three wins and a solitary loss, which came against the table toppers, China.
The semi-finals of the Hockey league were tightly fought as India and Korea edged past their Pool B opponents. India claimed a thrilling 1-0 win over Japan with Sunelita Toppo scoring the only goal of the game in the final quarter. On the other hand Korea scored twice in the first half and tightened the defence in the second half to win 2-0 against the tough 11 of China.
In the finals, India takes on Korea, with a draw no longer an option for them if to win the tournament! A cagey and edgy encounter by India who took the lead through a penalty stroke in the second quarter but Korea struck back within the next two minutes and kept themselves in the game at the half.
India scored their second goal of the game with the shot of Neelam and this would prove to be the winning goal as the Indian defence was so hard to break it and shut down all Korean attacks in the second half. Japan won the bronze medal match against China by a 2-1 margin. With the results India, Korea and Japan have qualified for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023.
Annu, the Indian forward who scored the opening goal in the final, finished the tournament being the top goalscorer with 9 goals throughout. Janneke Schopman, coach of the Indian team, speaking on her team’s performance said: “So thrilled for the girls to get this win in the Junior Asia Cup. For a lot of them this was their first exposure to international hockey and to win tight matches in the semi-finals and now in the finals, means a lot and I am very proud of them.”
With the conclusion Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2023 tournament, all 16 teams competing in the upcoming FIH Junior Hockey World Cups are now set.
FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023:
In the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023, which will be played in Santiago, Chile from 29 November to 10th December 2023, Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain have qualified from Europe. Australia and New Zealand have qualified from Oceania. South Africa along with Zimbabwe qualifying from Africa. USA, Argentina, and Canada qualified from Pan America. India, Korea, and Japan qualify from Asia to complete all 16 teams which includes hosts Chile.
FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023:
In the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023, which will be played in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from 5-16 December 2023, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands, and Spain have qualified from Europe. Australia and New Zealand have qualified from Oceania. South Africa and Egypt are the qualifiers from Africa. Argentina, Canada and Chile qualified from Pan America. India, Pakistan, Korea, and Malaysia who is hosing the tournament will complete the full set of 16 teams who will compete for the gold medal.
Also see: Financial aid for Pakistan hockey before Champions Trophy in Chennai
