s2h team

Energetic, enterprise and precise, India stunned the best team in Muscat, Japan, to enter the final of the Junior Asia Cup. The defending champions appeared faster and better finisher inside the circle compared to their brave rivals who had all win backdrop as they locked horns with India in the semis. However, they could not match India on ball possession and precision, especially in the striking circle despite putting up a brave fight back in the last quarter but Indian captain Jothi Singh and goalie Nidhi were beyond breach. It was also too late and too little, as awesome India took its appointed spot in the final deservingly.

With qualifying for the semis, India qualified for the next Jr World Cup.

Mumtaz Khan opened the Indian scoring as early as in the fourth minute before Dipika took over. The wrestler turned Indian forward enhanced the lead with an immaculate field goal  before converting a stroke.

India beat the same rival Japan in the semifinal last year too (1-0).

India made a dominant start in the first quarter and bagged three goals to get an early advantage. The first goal came after a defensive error by the Japanese defence which was capitalised by Mumtaz Khan in the fourth minute. Moments later, Sakshi Rana fired a powerful shot towards goal from distance and managed to beat the keeper. Towards the end of the first quarter, Beauty Dungdung was brought down by the Japanese goalkeeper in the shooting circle and India was given a penalty stroke.

The leading goalscorer of the tournament, Deepika, stepped up and scored to give India a sizable lead early on. Japan fought back in the second quarter and managed to reduce the deficit, courtesy of a goal from Niko Maruyama in the 23rd minute. Japan did well with its quick attacks and tried to catch the Indian defence off-guard and succeeded once.

Both sides fought hard in the third quarter but couldn’t find a goal. Japan gradually started dominating the play but India had the upper hand on the scorecard and used it to its full advantage.
Japan started the fourth quarter aggressive as India stayed on the backfoot and protected their goal. In the 48th minute, Japan received a penalty corner which almost made it into the Indian goal but Captain Jyoti Singh made a heroic goalline save to keep India’s lead intact. Japan received two late penalty corners as well but India’s defence was up to the task and ensured they see out a 3-1 win.

India will either face China or Korea in the Final on December 15, 2024 at 20:30 hours IST.