GUWAHATI: India won both AHF Junior Asia Cup titles on Sunday, with the women's team beating hosts China 1-0 and the men defeating South Korea 4-1 in Moqi, China.
ALSO READ: Murder Accused Ramanuj Goswami Dies After Alleged Escape Attempt in Guwahati
The women's victory secured India's third Junior Asia Cup title, while the men's team claimed a record-extending sixth crown. Both teams also qualified for next year's FIH Junior World Cup.
The decisive goal in the women's final came in the 17th minute when Sanika Chandrakant Mane deflected a long ball inside the circle past China goalkeeper Xu Mengjiao. China had an equaliser ruled out after the ball entered the goal above the permitted height from their only penalty corner.
India's men's team seized early control against South Korea, with Ajeet Yadav opening the scoring in the ninth minute and captain Anmol Ekka doubling the lead from a penalty corner four minutes later. Prabhdeep Singh made it 3-0 in the 21st minute before Ashu Maurya added a fourth in the 50th. South Korea pulled one back through Lee Minhyeok's penalty stroke in the 54th minute.
India's men's team had previously won the Junior Asia Cup in 2004, 2008, 2015, 2023 and 2024.
Anmol Ekka finished as the tournament's top scorer with 17 goals, while Sanika was among the joint-highest scorers in the women's competition with seven goals.