Moqi, China, September 12, 2026: India’s junior women’s hockey team eased into the final of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 with a 5-1 win over South Korea in the first semi-final on Saturday, with drag-flick specialist Supriya scoring a hat-trick of penalty-corner conversions.
The defending champions will now face the winner of the second semi-final between hosts China and Japan in the summit clash.
Both sides were cautious in a cagey opening quarter befitting a knockout match, before India settled into their rhythm and broke the deadlock in the 13th minute through Madhu Sidar, who finished off a well-constructed attacking move.
Supriya’s drag-flicks put India in control
The goal lifted India, who began dictating the game and making regular incursions into the Korean circle. Their pressure earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute, and Supriya stepped up to send a precise drag-flick past the Korean defence for 2-0.
India doubled down on their control of possession and territory, and were rewarded again in the 21st minute when a well-directed aerial ball into the Korean 23-metre area found an Indian winger, whose cross into the circle was finished by Sukhveer Kaur to make it 3-0. South Korea created a few chances of their own before the interval, but India’s defence held firm to take the three-goal cushion into the break.
India came out strongly after half-time and extended the lead in the 33rd minute, when another penalty corner gave Supriya the chance to add her second goal of the match, putting India 4-0 up.
Yuri Jeong’s reply cannot stop India’s charge
South Korea kept chasing the game and finally found a breakthrough in the 41st minute, with Yuri Jeong converting from a set-piece to make it 4-1 and briefly raise hopes of a comeback.
India stayed disciplined in the final quarter, tightening their defensive structure and giving the Koreans no clear way back into the contest, while still attacking whenever the opportunity arose. That effort paid off with another penalty corner in the 56th minute, which Supriya converted to complete her hat-trick and seal a 5-1 win.
The defending champions now wait on the outcome of the China-Japan semi-final before turning their attention to the final, where they will look to complete another successful title defence.
