India U18 women lose shootout 1-3 to China in Asia Cup semis
Synopsis
India's U18 women fought back twice from behind to hold China 2-2 in regulation, only to fall 1-3 in the shootout as goalkeeper Liu Xue proved the difference. The exit means India will contest the bronze medal on 6 June — but the resilience shown against a strong Chinese side signals a promising generation in the making.
Key Takeaways
India U18 women lost 1-3 in a shootout to China in the U18 Women's Asia Cup semifinal in Kakamigahara on 5 June .
The match ended 2-2 after regulation, with Nousheen Naz (3') and Kiran Ekka (54') scoring for India.
Li ZeYan (24') and Zhang Yuzheng (48') netted for China.
Chinese goalkeeper Liu Xue saved three of India's four shootout attempts; Sandeepa Kumari was India's only scorer.
India will play for the bronze medal on 6 June against the loser of the Japan vs Korea semifinal.
India's U18 women's hockey team bowed out of the U18 Women's Asia Cup semifinals on Friday, 5 June in Kakamigahara, falling 1-3 to China in a shootout after a hard-fought 2-2 draw across four quarters. Nousheen Naz and Kiran Ekka scored for India, but the shootout proved decisive as Chinese goalkeeper Liu Xue turned in a commanding performance to end India's title hopes.
India's Bright Start
India drew first blood in the 3rd minute when captain Sweety Kujur threaded a precise midfield pass to Nousheen Naz inside the circle, who drove a powerful back-handed shot past the Chinese goalkeeper to give India an early advantage. Both sides created chances in the first quarter but the scoreline held at 1-0 heading into the break.
China Hit Back in the Second Quarter
China were awarded a penalty corner in the 21st minute, but Indian goalkeeper Mahak Parihar produced a brilliant save to deny Feng Jiaxin's dragflick. Three minutes later, a defensive lapse by India allowed Li ZeYan to capitalise with a field goal in the 24th minute, levelling the contest at 1-1.
Tense Third and Fourth Quarters
The third quarter saw India survive a penalty corner in the 34th minute as the backline held firm. India received consecutive penalty corners in the 43rd minute but could not convert, leaving the game level at the start of the final quarter.
China edged ahead in the 48th minute when Zhang Yuzheng converted on the rebound after India's first rusher blocked the initial penalty corner strike. India refused to yield — Kiran Ekka equalised in the 54th minute with a composed penalty corner finish to make it 2-2, forcing a shootout.
Shootout Heartbreak
In the shootout, China's Lu Tong Tong, Ge Chen, and Guo Jiaxin all converted their attempts, while goalkeeper Liu Xue kept out three of India's four efforts. Sandeepa Kumari was India's sole scorer in the shootout. China won 3-1 on penalties to advance to the final.
What's Next for India
India will now compete for the bronze medal on 6 June, facing the loser of the second semifinal between Japan and Korea. Despite the shootout exit, India's fightback from a goal down twice in regulation underlined the team's resilience at the junior level.
Point of View
A pattern that has cost senior and junior sides alike in high-pressure moments. Captain Sweety Kujur's vision and Mahak Parihar's saves in regulation were genuine bright spots, but the bronze medal match on 6 June is now a must-win to salvage the campaign and maintain the programme's momentum ahead of the next junior cycle.
NationPress
13 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs China U18 Women's Asia Cup semifinal?
India lost to China 1-3 in a shootout after the match ended 2-2 in regulation at Kakamigahara on 5 June. China's goalkeeper Liu Xue was the standout performer in the shootout, saving three of India's attempts.
Who scored for India in the U18 Asia Cup semifinal against China?
Nousheen Naz scored in the 3rd minute and Kiran Ekka converted a penalty corner in the 54th minute for India. In the shootout, Sandeepa Kumari was India's only scorer.
Why did India lose the shootout despite a 2-2 draw?
India converted only 1 of their 4 shootout attempts, with Chinese goalkeeper Liu Xue making three crucial saves. China's Lu Tong Tong, Ge Chen, and Guo Jiaxin all scored to seal a 3-1 shootout win.
When and where will India play their bronze medal match?
India will play the bronze medal match on 6 June in Kakamigahara, facing the loser of the second semifinal between Japan and Korea.
Who is captaining the India U18 women's hockey team at the Asia Cup?
Sweety Kujur is captaining the India U18 women's hockey team. She set up India's opening goal with a precise midfield pass to Nousheen Naz in the 3rd minute of the semifinal.
