Sports: India completes a rare double, lifts Asia Cup for junior women title

India completed a rare double in hockey by winning the AHF Junior Women Asia Cup title at Kakamigahara in Japan on Sunday. India is already the winner of AHF Junior Men Asia Cup. Both India Junior Men and Junior Women have now qualified for the FIH Hockey World Cups, both for junior men and women, to be held in December this year.

Japan, the hosts of the Asia Cup for Junior Women, also qualified for the World Cup to be played in Santiago, Chile, later this year. In the bronze medal match, Japan defeated China 2-1.

On the way to the final, India had overcome a stiff resistance from Japan in the semi-finals. Annu was the scorer of the only goal of the match.

India and Korea played exciting hockey. It was India that gradually  tried to control the game against Koreans who played their hearts out. For India, goalkeeper Madhuri did a wonderful job executing a couple of brilliant saves, especially of penalty corners.

Preeti was adjudged player of the match.

It was India that took the lead in the 22^nd minute following a penalty corner. As the deflection hit a Korean defender on the body, a penalty stroke was awarded that was converted by Annu with a low flick that beat the Korean custodian.

Koreans were quick to retaliate. Three minutes after conceding the lead, they restored parity. The equalizer came through Seoyeon Park. It was a brilliant solo effort as she picked a loose ball, dodged a defender and shot home with a powerful angular hit that beat Indian goalkeeper Madhuri.

As the teams were locked 1-1 at the end of first half, the action shifted to the second half where India enjoyed both territorial and strategic advantage. Indian girls were more confident, had better ball control and worked out their moves well. In the 41^st minute when India got a penalty corner,  Neelam scored the match clincher with a quick rasp drive on the right of the goalkeeper.

India continued to maintain pressure while Koreans did try to break Indian defence for an equalizer. The day, however, belonged to India.

Annu was declared one of best players while best promising youngster award went to Anjali Barwa, also of India.

Prabhjot Singh