The Indian Hockey team bagged the Women’s Hockey Junior Asia Cup 2023 title in Kakamigahara, Japan, by beating Republic of Korea in the finals on Sunday, June 11, 2023. India won by 2-1. 

India has won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup for the first time .With this, India has secured the spot in the FIH Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 going to organize in Chile. Japan won by 2-1 from China to become the third team to qualify for the world cup scheduled this year.

India finally scored after a goalless first quarter when Annu converted from the penalty spot after Mumtaz Khan diverted a shot onto the body of a Korean defender.

Seoyeon’s score on a counterattack allowed Korea to soon equalise, and the two teams concluded the first half with one-one goal.

Neelam scored once more in the third quarter to put India ahead.

Korea attempted several close shots and counterattacks, but India custodian Madhuri Kindo and her defenders kept the ball out of the goal. India defended eight South Korean penalty corners in total.

On Sunday, Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated the women junior hockey team after they secured a 2-1 against Korea to lift their maiden Women’s Junior Asia cup. 

PM MODI in a Tweet, “Congratulations to our young champions on winning the 2023 women’s hockey junior asia cup . The team has shown immense perseverance, talent and teamwork. They have made our nation very proud. Best wishes to them for their endeavors ahead. “

Congratulations to our young champions on winning the 2023 Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup! The team has shown immense perseverance, talent and teamwork. They have made our nation very proud. Best wishes to them for their endeavours ahead. pic.twitter.com/lCkIDMTwWN

— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) June 11, 2023