Supriya’s Hat-Trick Powers India into AHF Junior Women’s Asia Cup Final

India produced a dominant performance in the first semifinal of the AHF Junior Women’s Asia Cup 2026, defeating South Korea 5-1 in Moqi, China, on Saturday to book their place in the title clash. 

Drag-flick specialist Supriya was the standout performer for the defending champions, scoring a superb hat-trick through three clinical penalty-corner conversions. The comprehensive victory kept India’s title defence firmly on track and underlined their credentials as one of the leading teams in the tournament. India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between hosts China and Japan in the final.

For a team chasing another continental title, the manner of the semifinal victory will offer plenty of encouragement. India controlled large periods of the contest, created repeated opportunities inside the Korean circle and showed composure whenever South Korea attempted to fight their way back into the match.

The semifinal began with both teams understandably cautious. With a place in the final at stake, neither side was willing to commit too many players forward during the opening exchanges. India gradually found their rhythm, however, and began to take control of possession and territory. Their pressure eventually produced the opening goal in the 13th minute. A well-constructed attacking move ended with Madhu Sidar providing the finishing touch, giving India a 1-0 advantage and rewarding their growing dominance.

The goal gave the defending champions confidence. India increased the pressure in the second quarter and repeatedly found ways into the Korean defensive third. Their efforts earned a penalty corner in the 17th minute, bringing Supriya into the game. The drag-flick specialist made no mistake. Supriya produced a precise effort that beat the Korean defence and found the back of the net, doubling India’s lead and giving them a 2-0 advantage.

Sukhveer Kaur adds another

South Korea struggled to deal with India's attacking movement as the Indian side continued to dictate proceedings. The third goal arrived in the 21st minute following another well-executed attacking sequence. India played a superb aerial ball into the Korean 23-metre area, finding an Indian winger in space. The winger delivered an accurate cross into the circle, where Sukhveer Kaur finished the move expertly.

At 3-0, India had established a commanding advantage. South Korea attempted to respond before half-time and created a few opportunities of their own. However, the Indian defence remained organised and composed, ensuring that the Koreans could not find a way through. India, therefore, went into the interval with a three-goal cushion and firmly in control of the semifinal.

The defending champions showed no signs of easing off after the break. India continued to attack with purpose and earned another penalty corner in the 33rd minute. Once again, the responsibility fell to Supriya.

Once again, she delivered. The drag-flick specialist unleashed another accurate effort to score her second goal of the match and extend India's lead to 4-0. With the deficit becoming increasingly difficult to overcome, South Korea needed an immediate response. They eventually found one in the 41st minute when Yuri Jeong converted from a set-piece. The goal reduced the deficit to 4-1 and offered South Korea a brief glimmer of hope.

India, however, responded with the maturity expected from defending champions.

Rather than allowing South Korea to build momentum, India tightened their defensive structure while continuing to look for opportunities at the other end. The Koreans struggled to create a clear route back into the contest, while India remained dangerous whenever they moved forward. 

The decisive moment arrived in the 56th minute. India won another penalty corner, and Supriya was once again presented with the opportunity to make an impact. She produced another authoritative drag-flick to complete her hat-trick and restore India's four-goal advantage.

The goal effectively settled the contest, with India seeing out the remaining minutes to secure a 5-1 victory. Supriya's three penalty-corner goals made her the defining figure of the semifinal, while Madhu Sidar and Sukhveer Kaur also got on the scoresheet in a performance that showcased India's attacking depth. The defending champions now await the result of the China-Japan semifinal to discover their opponents in the title clash. 

With the final one win away, India will now look to complete another successful title defence and add another chapter to their strong record in junior women's hockey.