MUSCAT: India hammered Thailand 9-0 to book a semifinal clash against Japan as South Korea smashed Hong Kong 12-0 to set up a last-four encounter with China in the Women’s Junior Asia Cup hockey championship in Muscat on Thursday.
On Saturday, India take on Japan in the first semifinal (4.30 pm – Oman Time) and China meet South Korea in the second semifinal (7pm) at the Hockey Oman Stadium in Al Amerat.
India, who went down to Pool A leaders China 2-1 in their earlier match, bounced back into fine form against Thailand. Deepika Sehrawat was the star of the match with four goals (28-pc, 31-pc, 35 and 55th minutes).
India made it to the semifinals with nine points behind group leaders China on 12 points.
India opened scoring in the 17th minute with a field goal by Sakshi Rana while Kanika Siwach’s twin strikes from penalty corners in 23rd and 25th minutes made it 3-0. Lalrinpuii struck the fourth goal in the 27th minute as India led 4-0 at the break.
It was Deepika show after the half-time as she struck a hat-trick and Kanika netted her third penalty-corner goal in the 40th minute. Deepika wrapped up the scoreline with a good strike with five minutes to go. The wily forward is the leading scorer of the tournament with 11 goals from four matches.
South Korea, who needed a win to confirm the semifinal spot, meant pure business against Hong Kong.
Migyeong Park netted a hat-trick (17, 37, 40-pc) while Seoyeon Park (9, 23-pc), Hyeonjeong Park (47, 56) and Jiyun Choi (29-pc, 39-pc) scored a brace each. Also on target were Hyonji Sin (15-pc), Yumin Kang (28) and Yeongeun Park (54-pc).
South Korea, who ended group matches with nine points, qualified to the last-four stage behind Pool B leaders Japan.
CHINA, JAPAN ON SONG
China wrapped up the group matches with a 4-0 win against Malaysia.
Guoting Hao struck twice (4, 17) while Jiajing Lei (49) and Jinzhuang Tan (54-pc) also found the net for the unbeaten China.
In Pool B, Japan maintained their unbeaten streak with a 6-0 thrashing of Chinese Taipei to finish on 12 points.
Hanami Saito (44-pc, 59-pc) and Niko Maruyama (46, 54) netted two goals each. Namie Egashira, who opened the scoring in the seventh minute and Sana Hayasuke, who netted the second goal in the 15th minute, were the other contributors.
In the fifth to eighth placement matches on Saturday, Chinese Taipei meet Thailand (11.30 am) and Malaysia take on Hong Kong (2 pm). The matchday begins with a 9-10 position match between Bangladesh and Sri Lanka (9 am) at the Hockey Oman Stadium.
Oman Observer is now on the WhatsApp channel. Click here
