Bhubaneswar: The Indian Junior Women’s Team stormed into the final of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 with a commanding 5-1 victory over South Korea in the first semi-final in Moqi, China, on Saturday.
Drag-flick specialist Supriya was the star of India’s emphatic win, completing a hat-trick through three clinical penalty-corner conversions as the defending champions continued their impressive title defence.
India made a cautious start to the knockout contest but gradually found their rhythm and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute. Madhu Sidar finished off a well-constructed attacking move to put India 1-0 ahead.
The goal gave India greater momentum and the defending champions began asserting their control in the second quarter. Their pressure earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute, with Supriya producing a precise drag-flick to double India’s advantage.
India continued to dominate possession and territory, and their pressure produced another goal in the 21st minute. A well-directed aerial ball into the Korean 23-metre area was followed by a timely cross into the circle, which Sukhveer Kaur expertly converted to make it 3-0.
South Korea created a few opportunities before half-time, but India’s defence remained composed to take a three-goal advantage into the interval.
India resumed strongly after the break and extended their lead in the 33rd minute. Another penalty corner gave Supriya the opportunity to showcase her drag-flicking ability, and she made no mistake to score her second goal of the match and put India 4-0 ahead.
South Korea finally found a breakthrough in the 41st minute when Yuri Jeong converted from a set-piece to make it 4-1.
India, however, remained disciplined and denied South Korea any chance of mounting a comeback. The title-holders continued to attack with purpose and earned another penalty corner in the 56th minute.
Supriya once again delivered from the set piece, completing her hat-trick and sealing India’s comprehensive 5-1 victory.
India will now face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts China and Japan in the summit clash as the defending champions look to complete another successful title defence.
