Drag-flick specialist Supriya scored three penalty corner goals as defending champions India defeated South Korea 5-1 in Moqi to storm into the AHF Junior Asia Cup final.
Defending champions India secured a place in the final of the AHF Junior Asia Cup following a convincing 5-1 victory over South Korea in the first semifinal in Moqi, China, on Saturday.
Drag-flick specialist Supriya starred for India, scoring three penalty-corner conversions to complete a hat-trick and spearhead the win.
Following a cagey opening phase, India broke the deadlock in the 13th minute when Madhu Sidar finished off a well-constructed attacking move to give her team a 1-0 lead.
India carried that momentum into the second quarter, earning a penalty corner in the 17th minute that Supriya converted with a precise drag-flick. In the 21st minute, an aerial ball into the Korean 23-metre area led to a well-timed cross that Sukhveer Kaur expertly finished, extending the lead to 3-0 before half-time.
India kept up the pressure after the break as Supriya scored her second goal from another penalty corner in the 33rd minute to put India 4-0 ahead. South Korea pulled one goal back in the 41st minute when Yuri Jeong converted from a set-piece to make it 4-1.
India stayed disciplined in the final quarter, denying South Korea further chances before Supriya completed her hat-trick from a 56th-minute penalty corner to seal the 5-1 win.
India will now play the winner of the second semifinal between hosts China and Japan in the summit clash.
Reporting sourced from The Hindu Hockey. Photo courtesy The Hindu Hockey.