The Indian junior women's hockey team emerged as Champions of the Women's Junior Asia Cup 2023 held in Kakamigahara, Gifu Prefecture, Japan by defeating Korea with a score of 2-1 in a captivating Final match on Sunday.
With this victory, India hold on to the top spot in the points table. Early goals by Akashdeep Singh (2') and Sukhjeet Singh (14') helped India control the proceedings while Lucas Toscani (58') scored Argentina's lone goal.
"Congratulations to our young champions on winning the 2023 Women's Hockey Junior Asia Cup! The team has shown immense perseverance, talent and teamwork. They have made our nation very proud. Best wishes to them for their endeavours ahead," PM Modi said in a tweet.
While Annu (22') and Neelam (41') scored one goal each for India, it was the team's collective efforts that ultimately led to their triumphant victory in this crucial encounter, as per a press release from Hockey India.
The goals for The Netherlands came from Duco Telgenkamp (7'), Boris Burkhardt (41') and Tjep Hoedemakers (43'), while it was Sanjay (18') and Gurjant Singh (46') who scored for the Indian men's hockey team.
The victory means that the Indian team will compete in the prestigious tournament's Final for the second time, having previously reached the summit clash in 2012.
The Indian Junior Women's Hockey Team confirmed their place in the semi-final of Women's Junior Asia Cup 2023 after a resounding 11-0 victory over Chinese Taipei on Thursday
It was India skipper Harmanpreet Singh (33'), Amit Rohidas (39') and Abhishek (59') who scored in India's win while goalkeepers PR Sreejesh and Krishan Pathak took turns to keep a clean slate.
While Harmanpreet Singh (11') scored India's lone goal, Pepijn Reyenga (17'), Boris Burkhardt (40') and Duco Telgenkamp (41', 58') scored in the home team's victory.
After registering a stellar 22-0 victory over Uzbekistan in their opening game, India picked up a comeback 2-1 win over Malaysia before fighting back against Korea to secure a 2-2 draw.