Women’s Junior Asia Cup: India defeats Japan to get to the final and earn a World Cup spot

India defeated Japan by a score of 1-0 on Sunelita Toppo’s field goal to go to the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament’s final on Saturday.

The victory also guaranteed them a spot in this year’s FIH Junior World Cup, which will take place in Santiago from November 29 to December 10. The top three teams from the 2023 Women’s Junior Asia Cup advance to the world championship.

India only had one other appearance in the Junior Asia Cup final after their appearance in 2012.

Sunelita eventually scored to end the tie in the 47th minute after a scoreless first three quarters.

In the Sunday final, India will take against either China or Korea.

The two teams engaged in a fiercely competitive encounter and neither seemed willing to yield until Sunelita’s goal.

Both India and Japan had several scoring opportunities, including up to 12 penalty corners apiece, but they could not take advantage of the set pieces.

India got things going quickly and aggressively, taking advantage of early possession while also making a few circle penetrations.

In the match, Japan also found their footing following India’s early dominance.

As a result of the two teams’ staunch backlines, there was practically any difference between the two sides.

Japan earned a penalty corner with a minute left in the first quarter, but Indian custodian Madhuri Kindo easily stopped a weak dragflick.

Another penalty corner was awarded to Japan as the quarter came to a close, but the shot missed the mark.

Japan earned another penalty corner three minutes into the second quarter, but Madhuri once again saved India.

A few minutes later, India had the opportunity to win a penalty corner, but Vaishnavi Phalke’s flick was blocked by Misaki Saito of Japan.

Despite their valiant efforts, neither team was able to draw first blood in the first two quarters.

Following the change of ends, Japan had more assaults to put India on the defensive and enjoyed the majority of the possession.

However, the Indians were given a wonderful opportunity to go in front in the 39th minute when they were given a penalty shot, but Annu was unable to capitalise on the present.

After 45 minutes of play, India was responsible for squandering scoring chances from penalty corners.

But two minutes into the fourth quarter, Toppo ultimately broke the tie with a spectacular field goal after receiving nice feeds from Mahima Tete and Jyoti Chhatri.

India’s confidence increased after scoring, and they began to take the initiative.

But if Madhuri hadn’t made a wonderful save from a penalty corner in the 58th minute to preserve her team’s advantage, the result would have been different.