Moqi [China], September 6 (ANI): India’s junior girls’s crew continued their commanding begin to the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, producing one other emphatic efficiency to register an 11-1 victory over Malaysia of their second Elite Pool match on Sunday.
The 2-time winners and defending champions constructed on their opening 4-1 win over South Korea, trying much more settled and warranted. Seven completely different gamers discovered the online, whereas India’s improved coordination was mirrored within the different method of their targets, with 4 coming from discipline play, 5 from penalty corners and two from penalty strokes.
Having overcome the preliminary nerves of their event opener, India seemed more and more assured and cohesive. Their attacking actions have been sharper, whereas their penalty-corner execution remained a significant power.
India wasted no time asserting their authority, opening the scoring within the first minute by way of Puja Sahoo, who transformed a penalty stroke. The early breakthrough instantly set the tone, and India doubled their benefit within the fourth minute when Purnima Yadav discovered the again of the online.
The defending champions continued to pile on the strain, with Binima Dhan changing a penalty nook within the eighth minute earlier than Krishna Sharma added one other within the 14th minute.
The second quarter noticed Purnima finishing her brace within the seventeenth minute, once more changing from a penalty nook. Two extra targets got here off Indian sticks earlier than half-time, as Sukhveer Kaur obtained herself on the scoresheet within the twenty first minute earlier than Geeta Yadav struck within the twenty eighth minute. Each scored off penalty corners. India went into the interval with a 7-0 benefit.
Malaysia lastly discovered a breakthrough within the thirty eighth minute when Nur Mohd scored their solely purpose of the competition. Nonetheless, the comfort strike did little to disrupt India’s momentum.
India have been awarded one other penalty stroke within the forty second minute, and Puja calmly transformed to finish her brace. Sanika Chandrakant Mane then scored within the forty third minute to make it 9-1 heading into the ultimate quarter.
There was no let-up from India within the closing phases. Geeta scored her second purpose of the match with one other penalty nook conversion within the 53rd minute, earlier than Sanika scored as soon as once more within the 58th minute to finish the 11-1 rout.
The outcome offers India two wins from two matches and 6 factors, placing them on the prime of the standings within the Elite Pool. China and Japan are second and third, respectively, with three factors every after enjoying and successful one match; purpose distinction separates them. South Korea and Malaysia occupy the fourth and fifth spots, respectively, after struggling two defeats every.
India will get pleasure from a relaxation day on Monday earlier than returning to motion towards Japan of their third pool-stage match on September 8. (ANI)
