India Storms into AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup Semi-Finals with Record 19-0 Rout of Pakistan
The Indian junior women’s hockey team sent shockwaves through the AHF Women’s Junior Asia Cup 2026 on Wednesday, registering a historic 19-0 victory over arch-rivals Pakistan in Moqi, China. This emphatic performance, which saw India dominate every inch of the pitch, effectively booked the team’s ticket to the semi-finals in spectacular fashion.
Coming off a hard-fought, goalless draw against tournament hosts China in their final Elite Pool match, the Indian squad approached this quarter-final encounter with renewed intensity. From the opening whistle, the “Women in Blue” displayed a level of tactical superiority and clinical finishing that left their opponents completely overwhelmed.
A Ruthless First-Half Goalfest
The match was essentially decided in the opening 30 minutes, during which India built an insurmountable 10-0 lead. The scoring frenzy began in the seventh minute courtesy of Puja Sahoo, followed swiftly by a strike from Roshni Aind just two minutes later.
Once the floodgates opened, there was no stopping the Indian offensive machine. Tanushree Dinesh Kadu and Sukhveer Kaur chipped in with goals shortly after, while Sanika Chandrakant Mane emerged as a major threat, netting two quick goals in the 13th and 23rd minutes. As the Pakistan defense struggled to find their footing against the relentless Indian pressing, Madhu Sidhar, Geeta Yadav, Tanuja Toppo, and Pooja Malik all added their names to the scoresheet before the halftime hooter. By the time the teams headed to the dugout, the gap in quality between the two sides was glaringly evident.
Sustained Dominance and Semi-Final Ambitions
The second half brought no relief for Pakistan, as India maintained their relentless tempo. Purnima Yadav wasted no time, finding the back of the net in the 33rd minute to signal that there would be no easing off. Pooja Malik, having already scored in the first half, completed a well-deserved hat-trick with two late goals in the 49th and 51st minutes.
The scoring spread across the entire roster, highlighting the depth and versatility of the Indian squad. Supriya proved instrumental in the final two quarters, contributing a clinical brace, while Krishna Sharma and Bhima Binima Dhan also capitalized on the sustained offensive pressure. Roshni Aind put the finishing touch on the record-breaking rout, scoring her second of the match in the final moments of the game to bring the final tally to 19-0.
This performance stands as a testament to the rigorous preparation and attacking prowess of the Indian junior side. Having dismantled their neighbors with such authority, the team now turns its attention to the penultimate stage of the tournament. The Indian squad is set to face the winner of the quarter-final clash between South Korea and Malaysia. With their momentum at an all-time high and confidence surging, the Women in Blue look well-positioned to challenge for the title as they advance toward the grand finale.
Disclaimer: This content is auto-generated for informational purposes only.
Source: Read Original News
