The Indian junior women's hockey team delivered a dominant performance at the Junior Women's Hockey Asia Cup 2026 in China, defeating Pakistan 19-0 in their quarter-final match. With this victory, India secured a spot in the semi-finals of the tournament. The Indian team controlled the game throughout the entire 60 minutes, while Pakistan failed to score a single goal. A total of 13 different Indian players scored during the match, highlighting the squad's offensive depth.
Early Momentum and Halftime Dominance
India established control early in the opening quarter by pressing high into Pakistan's defensive zone. Pooja Sahu scored the opening goal in the 7th minute to put India ahead. Following the early lead, the team continued to convert attacking opportunities at regular intervals. By halftime, India held a 10-0 advantage. In the remaining two quarters, the team added 9 more goals, ending the match at 19-0 while maintaining a clean sheet throughout the four quarters.
Individual Goal Scorers and Team Statistics
India's attacking lineup saw contributions across the board. Pooja Malik scored 3 goals to register a hat-trick, making her the highest scorer of the match. Individual brace contributions came from Roshni, Sanika, Madhu, and Supriya, who each scored 2 goals. Eight additional team members contributed 1 goal each to bring the final tally to 19. Pakistan was unable to mount effective counter-attacks or create scoring opportunities against India's defensive formation.
Defending Champions Pursue Third Straight Title
India entered the 2026 edition of the Junior Asia Cup as defending champions, having previously won the tournament titles in both 2023 and 2024. The victory over Pakistan extends India's unbeaten run in the current tournament. During the group stage, India secured consecutive wins against Japan, Malaysia, and South Korea to top their group prior to the knockout rounds.
Semi-Final Fixture Scheduled for 12 September
Following their quarter-final success, India will turn attention to the upcoming semi-final match scheduled for 12 September. India's opponent in the semi-final will be determined by the outcome of the quarter-final clash between South Korea and Malaysia. The team aims to maintain its unbeaten streak as it pursues a third consecutive continental junior title.
