Moqi, Sept 11:
India produced one of the most emphatic performances of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup, thrashing Pakistan 19-0 in the quarterfinals to storm into the semifinals in Moqi, China, on Thursday.
India dominated the match from the opening whistle and never allowed Pakistan to settle. The Indian side scored five goals in the first quarter, added another five in the second, three in the third and six in the final quarter to complete a stunning victory.
India also completely dominated the penalty-corner count, earning 18 corners and a penalty stroke. Pakistan, in contrast, failed to win even a single penalty corner or penalty stroke and were unable to score throughout the contest.
Puja Sahoo opened India’s account in the seventh minute by converting a penalty corner. Roshni Aind doubled the advantage with a field goal two minutes later, before Tanushree Kadu made it 3-0 in the 11th minute through a deflection from another penalty corner.
Sukhveer Kaur then converted a penalty stroke in the 13th minute before Sanika Mane added another field goal to give India a commanding 5-0 lead at the end of the opening quarter.
India continued their relentless assault in the second quarter. Madhu Sidar scored in the 16th minute, followed by Geeta Yadav two minutes later. Sanika struck again in the 23rd minute to complete her brace, while Tanuja Toppo added another in the 25th minute.
Pooja Malik converted a penalty corner in the 27th minute to take India into half-time with a 10-0 advantage. The scoreline reflected India’s overwhelming superiority in possession, attacking pressure and penalty-corner execution.
India showed no signs of easing off after the interval. Purnima Yadav scored from a deflection in the 33rd minute, while Madhu Sidar struck again in the 39th minute. Supriya then converted another penalty corner a minute later as India extended their lead to 13-0.
The final quarter brought another six goals. Krishna Sharma scored her first goal of the tournament in the 48th minute before Pooja Malik completed her hat-trick. Pooja scored again in the 51st minute, while Supriya completed her brace from a penalty corner in the 54th minute.
Binima Dhan added another field goal in the 55th minute before Roshni Aind completed her brace in the final minute to make it 19-0.
The victory sends India into the semifinals, where they will face the winner of the Korea-Malaysia quarterfinal on Saturday. With their attacking firepower and defensive control on display against Pakistan, India will enter the last four as strong contenders for the title.