Indian junior girls become Asia champion first time
Written by Parmeshar Singh Ber Kalan 11 June 2023:
Hockey Junior Asia Cup, Indian girl’s hockey team has created history. The Indian team reached the final of this tournament after a gap of 12 years. India defeats South Korea at Women Junior Asia Cup finals with a margin of 2-1 and become Asia champion for first time. Japan won the bronze medal by defeating China with a difference of 2-1 goals. Along with this, the teams of India, South Korea and Japan have also secured their place in the Women’s Junior Hockey World Cup to be held in Chile later this year.
In Pool A of this tournament, which was played from June 2 to 11 at Kakamigahara, Japan, the teams of India and South Korea won 3-3 group matches and played a draw among themselves. But in terms of better goal average, the Indian team topped the group while South Korea came second. In Group B, China was at the top after winning all 4 of their group matches and Japan was at the second position after winning 3 matches and one defeat came from china. In the semi-finals, the Indian team defeated Japan 1-0 in the tough match and entered the final, while South Korea defeated China 2-0 to qualify for the title clash.
Indian girls entered the finals after 12 years
Although reaching the finals of the Hockey Junior Asia Cup after a gap of 12 years was no less than a big achievement for the Indian girls, but they decided to give their best during the title fight and win the tournament at all costs. Indian forward Annu scored the first goal from a penalty stroke in the second quarter of the match and took a 1-0 lead. But after 2 minutes, the Korean team made a counterattack and scored a goal to level the score at 1-1. After the start of the second half, the Indian girls continued to increase their attack against Korea and Neelam scored a wonderful goal to make the score 2-1. After this, the Korean team tried hard to equalize by scoring a goal, but the Indian defense line did not allow the Korean team to run. Indian Men’s junior hockey team has also become the Asia Champion a few days ago.
Hockey India announced cash prize
Indian forward Anu, who scored a total of 9 goals in the tournament, has been declared the best striker of the tournament. Apart from Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Sports Minister Anurag Thakur, the officials of Hockey India have also congratulated all the players of the Indian team and coach Janeka for this wonderful victory. Hockey India has announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh each to each player. With this wonderful victory of the Indian girls, there is a wave of happiness among the Indian hockey lovers. This victory of the junior team has signaled the return of the golden days of Indian hockey.
The list of 16 teams for the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 is complete
With the conclusion of the Hockey Junior Asia Cup, the list of 16 teams to play in the FIH Hockey Women’s Junior World Cup 2023 to be played in Santiago, Chile from November 29 to December 10, 2023 has been finalized. It is to be noted that Belgium, England, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have already qualified for this World Cup. Similarly, Australia and New Zealand qualified from Oceania, South Africa and Zimbabwe from the African continent, while USA, Argentina and Canada qualified from the Pan American region. Now, in the results of the Asia Junior Hockey Cup, India, Korea and Japan have qualified to play in the World Cup. In this way, the list of all 16 teams, including the host Chile, has been completed.
The list of 16 teams for the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023
The list of 16 teams participating in the FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2023 to be played from 5 to 16 December 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, has already been completed. From Europe, Belgium, France, Germany, Netherlands and Spain have qualified for the World Cup. Australia and New Zealand have qualified from Oceania. South Africa and Egypt qualified from Africa while Argentina, Canada and Chile qualified from the Pan America region. India, Korea, Pakistan and Malaysia (hosts) will compete to become the world champion in this tournament.
