Indian side played 2-all in the regulation time and suffered 1-3 defeat in the shootout. China has entered the final while India will play for bronze medal match.

India’s good run in the ongoing Women’s U18 Asia Cup 2026 came to an end as they lost to China via shootout 1-3 in the semifinal encounter on Friday. Both the teams played 2-all in the regulation time. The age group continental competition in being played in the Japanese City of Kakamigahara.

India shot into the lead through Nousheen Naz (3^rd minute) but China bounced back to level the score via Li ZeYan (24^th minute) and surged ahead through Zhang Yuzheng (48^th minute). Kiran Ekka was on target in the 54^th minute to set an exciting shootout as both the teams were 2-all in the regulation time. However, in the shootout India suffered 1-3 defeat. China entered the final.

The second semi-final will be played between Japan and Korea.

India will play for bronze medal match on June 6.

Hockey India had recently appointed former Indian skipper Rani Rampal to oversee the national U18 women’s hockey camp in Bhopal. To further strengthen the grassroots programme Hockey India should invest heavily.

EOM