New Delhi: India delivered a stunning performance at the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, crushing Pakistan 19-0 to book their place in the semifinals.
The Indian team dominated from the opening whistle and maintained relentless pressure throughout the match. They scored five goals in the opening quarter, added another five before half time, found the net three times in the third quarter and finished with six goals in the final period.
India also completely controlled the set pieces, earning 18 penalty corners and a penalty stroke. Pakistan failed to win a single penalty corner or penalty stroke during the contest.
Puja Sahoo opened the scoring in the seventh minute after India had already earned several early penalty corners. Roshni Aind doubled the advantage two minutes later before Tanushree Kadu made it 3-0 in the 11th minute.
Sukhveer Kaur then converted a penalty stroke in the 13th minute, followed almost immediately by Sanika Mane’s field goal to give India a 5-0 lead at the end of the first quarter.
India continued their attacking onslaught in the second quarter. Madhu Sidar and Geeta Yadav extended the lead before Sanika scored again to complete her brace. Tanuja Toppo and Pooja Malik then added further goals as India reached the half time break with a commanding 10-0 advantage.
The Indian attack showed no signs of slowing down after the interval. Purnima Yadav, Madhu Sidar and Supriya added three more goals in the third quarter.
India continued to dominate the final period, with Krishna Sharma, Pooja Malik and Supriya among the scorers. Pooja completed her hat trick, while Supriya also scored twice. Binima Dhan added another goal before Roshni Aind completed her brace in the 60th minute.
The emphatic 19-0 victory sends India into the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Korea and Malaysia quarterfinal. The semifinal is scheduled for Saturday.
