New Delhi:The Indian women’s team continued its impressive run at the Women’s U18 Hockey Asia Cup with a convincing 3-1 victory over South Korea in their second Pool A match in Kakamigahara on Sunday.
After opening their campaign with a win over Malaysia, India delivered another dominant performance, with goals from Nousheen Naz, Shruti Kumari and Kiran Ekka securing all three points.
India made a strong start and earned a penalty stroke early in the opening quarter. Nousheen Naz converted the opportunity in the fourth minute to give her side a 1-0 lead.
The Indian team maintained control of the match and doubled its advantage in the second quarter. Shruti Kumari scored a field goal in the 21st minute, helping India take a comfortable 2-0 lead into the half-time break.
Korea attempted to fight back after the interval and pulled a goal back in the 41st minute through Gyeongmin Ryu. However, India’s response was immediate. Just two minutes later, Kiran Ekka converted a penalty corner to restore the two-goal cushion and make it 3-1.
Ekka’s influential display earned her the Player of the Match award as India continued to dominate key moments of the contest.
The Indian defence remained solid in the final quarter, successfully preventing Korea from creating clear scoring opportunities and ensuring the scoreline remained unchanged until the final whistle.
India earned four penalty corners and a penalty stroke during the match, while Korea managed two penalty corners.
With consecutive victories against Malaysia and Korea, India now sit at the top of the Pool A standings with six points. The team will aim to continue its unbeaten run when it faces Singapore in its final Pool A match on June 2.
