GUWAHATI: India won the Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 for the second consecutive time, defeating China 3-2 in a penalty shootout after a 1-1 draw in regulation time. The final was held on Sunday, December 15, at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Muscat.
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The match began with both teams evenly matched in the first quarter, as each created scoring opportunities but failed to capitalise. China broke the deadlock in the dying seconds of the second quarter, taking a 1-0 lead into halftime.
India came out strong in the third quarter, equalising in the 41st minute to make it 1-1. Both teams had several chances in the final quarter, but despite multiple penalty corners, neither side could break the deadlock, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
In the shootout, India’s goalkeeper Nidhi stepped up, making three crucial saves. Sakshi Rana, Ishika, and Sunelita Toppo scored for India, clinching the victory and securing India’s second consecutive title in the continental competition.
The 2024 Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup marked the ninth edition of the Women's Junior Asia Cup, an under-21 international field hockey tournament for women, organised by the Asian Hockey Federation. The event was held from December 7 to 15, 2024, at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Muscat, Oman.