India Beat South Korea 5-1 to Reach Final

India's junior women's hockey team secured their place in the final of the 2026 Women's Junior Asia Cup with a 5-1 victory over South Korea in the first semifinal in Moqi, China, on Saturday. The defending champions, who won the tournament in 2023 and 2024, will now face the winner of the second semifinal between hosts China and Japan in the title clash.

Supriya was the standout performer, scoring a hat-trick from three penalty corners. Madhu Sidar opened the scoring in the 13th minute, finishing a well-constructed attacking move to give India a 1-0 lead. India earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute, and Supriya converted with a precise drag-flick to double the advantage.

India continued to control possession and territory in the second quarter. Their attacking pressure was rewarded in the 21st minute when a well-directed aerial ball into the Korean 23-metre area set up a cross that Sukhveer Kaur finished to make it 3-0. South Korea created a few opportunities before half-time, but India's defence remained composed to preserve the three-goal cushion at the interval.

After the break, India extended their lead in the 33rd minute when another penalty corner gave Supriya the chance to showcase her drag-flick speciality, and she made no mistake for her second goal of the match, putting India 4-0 ahead.

South Korea replied in the 41st minute when Yuri Jeong converted from a set-piece to reduce the deficit to 4-1, briefly raising hopes of a comeback. India, however, maintained their defensive discipline and continued to look for openings. In the 56th minute, India earned another penalty corner, and Supriya completed her hat-trick with her third successful penalty-corner conversion, sealing an emphatic 5-1 win.

The result keeps India on course to retain their title, with the team now one win away from completing a hat-trick of Women's Junior Asia Cup crowns. Their campaign had earlier included a 4-1 victory over South Korea in the opening pool match and an 11-1 win over Malaysia, alongside victories over Japan, to finish top of their group. India's coach, Tim White, has overseen a squad that has shown strength in both open play and set pieces throughout the tournament.