Moqi (China): China put up a fight, but in the end Indian girls prevailed over the hosts to be crowned champions of the AHF Junior Women’s Asia Cup meet on Sunday.
Sanika Chandrakant Mane struck the lone goal of the closely-fought final in the 17th minute to help India retain their continental supremacy and complete a hat-trick of titles.
The title triumph secured India’s qualification for the FIH Junior Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Chile next year.
The Indian team, which included three Odisha players — Engil Harsha Rani Minz, Puja Sahoo and Tanuja Toppo — finished the tournament unbeaten. They topped Elite Pool with three wins and a draw, defeated South Korea 5-1 in the semifinals before edging out China 1-0 in the final.
Hockey India announced a prize of Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
On Monday, Indian will look to make it a grand double as they face Korea in the final of the AHF Junior Men’s Asia Cup.
