The Indian junior women’s hockey team is gearing up to defend their title at the Asia Cup and secure a direct qualification for the 2025 Junior World Cup in Chile.
The tournament, which is taking place from December 7 to 15, not only serves as an opportunity to retain their crown but also as a crucial qualification event for the upcoming World Cup. The opening match will see India face Bangladesh on Sunday.
The Asia Cup is significant for the Indian team, as it serves as a qualifying round for the FIH Junior World Cup 2025. Under the guidance of coach Tushar Khandker, India will be led by captain Jyoti Singh, with Sakshi Rana serving as her deputy.
The squad includes players who have already gained experience in the senior team, such as Deepika, Vaishnavi Vitthal Phalke, Sunelita Toppo, and Mumtaz Khan, all of whom were part of last year’s title-winning side.
In the previous edition of the tournament, India secured their first-ever Asia Cup victory, defeating South Korea 2-1 in the final. This time, they are placed in Pool A alongside China, Malaysia, Thailand, and Bangladesh.
Pool B features teams like South Korea, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Hong Kong, and Sri Lanka. Each team will play one match against every other team in their pool, and the top two teams from each pool will earn a spot in the semi-finals.
In addition to reaching the semi-finals, these top two teams will also secure a berth in the junior World Cup next year. The third and fourth placed teams from each pool will have a second chance to compete for the final World Cup spot.
For India, the pressure is on to perform well and secure the necessary qualification. Captain Jyoti Singh expressed her excitement for the tournament, saying, “We are excited to get on the field and start the tournament strong.
Defending the title is going to be challenging, but I’m sure the team is going to give it their all and make our country proud. The tournament is also very important since qualification for the junior World Cup is at stake, so we are doubly determined to bring home the title again.”
Vice-captain Sakshi Rana also expressed confidence, stating, “The team has trained hard leading to the tournament, and now it is time to perform. We have an experienced team with a lot of talent and passion. We are confident we can defend our title.”
India’s group stage matches will be crucial in determining their progression. If they finish as one of the top two teams in Pool A, they will advance to the semi-finals, which are scheduled for December 14.
The final match will be held on December 15, with the champions walking away with not just the title but a direct qualification spot for the 2025 Junior World Cup in Chile.
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