India U18 women's hockey team beat Australia 4-1 in series finale at Bhopal
Synopsis
India's U18 women's hockey team ended a tough home series on a dominant note — a 4-1 win over Australia in Bhopal, with four different scorers on the board. Australia won the series 3-1, but India's final-match performance, built on captain Sweety Kujur's early equaliser and second-half control, offers real momentum ahead of the U18 Asia Cup in Japan.
Key Takeaways
India U18 women's hockey team defeated Australia 4-1 in the series finale at Bhopal on 20 May 2025 .
Goals came from Sweety Kujur (13'), Diya (25'), Priyanka Minz (44'), and Nausheen Naz (50').
Australia won the four-match exposure tour series 3-1 , having taken the first three matches.
India's series losses included a 3-4 opener and a 1-4 second-match defeat.
The squad now heads to the U18 Asia Cup in Japan , beginning later in May 2025 .
The Indian U18 women's hockey team closed their home series on a high note, defeating Australia 4-1 in the fourth and final match at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre, Bhopal, on Wednesday, 20 May. The commanding win was India's only victory in a series Australia ultimately claimed 3-1, but it offered a timely confidence boost ahead of the U18 Asia Cup in Japan later this month.
How the Final Match Unfolded
Aurora Kovacevich put the visitors ahead as early as the 8th minute, threatening to set the tone for another Australian win. India's captain Sweety Kujur responded swiftly, equalising in the 13th minute to restore parity before the first quarter ended.
The hosts grew in confidence through the second quarter. Diya struck in the 25th minute to give India a 2-1 lead at halftime — their first lead of a match in the series.
India's Second-Half Dominance
India refused to let the advantage slip. Priyanka Minz extended the lead in the 44th minute, and Nausheen Naz wrapped up the scoring in the 50th minute to complete a 4-1 victory. It was a performance that reflected improved cohesion and finishing after three bruising earlier games.
How the Series Played Out
Australia dominated the first three matches of the exposure tour. The series opener was a closely contested 3-4 defeat for India. The second match was heavier — a 1-4 loss in which Diya gave India an early lead before Anneliese Cullen, Giselle Thompson, Aurora Kovacevich, and Stella Bartholomeusz fired Australia to a convincing win.
The third match saw India level at 1-1 through Sandeepa Kumari (15') after Cullen opened the scoring in the 5th minute, but Bartholomeusz restored Australia's lead in the 17th minute and the hosts could not find a second equaliser.
What This Means Ahead of the U18 Asia Cup
The series, framed as an exposure tour, gave India's young squad competitive match time against a sharp Australian side. Finishing on a 4-1 win — with goals spread across four different scorers — suggests India are building depth and attacking variety. The U18 Asia Cup in Japan, beginning later in May 2025, will be the real test of how much this squad has grown.
Point of View
But the manner of the final-match win matters. Four different scorers in a single game signals attacking depth that the earlier three matches did not show. The real concern is defensive fragility — India conceded early in three of four matches, including a 1-4 hammering in the second game. Going into the U18 Asia Cup in Japan, the coaching staff will know that a fast-starting opponent can unsettle this side. The series was billed as an exposure tour, and it has exposed both promise and vulnerabilities in equal measure.
NationPress
12 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the result of the India vs Australia U18 women's hockey series finale?
India defeated Australia 4-1 in the fourth and final match of the series, played at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central SAI Centre in Bhopal on 20 May 2025. Goals came from Sweety Kujur, Diya, Priyanka Minz, and Nausheen Naz.
Who won the India vs Australia U18 women's hockey series overall?
Australia won the four-match series 3-1. India's only victory came in the final match, with Australia having claimed the first three games of the exposure tour.
Who scored for India in the series finale against Australia?
Captain Sweety Kujur (13'), Diya (25'), Priyanka Minz (44'), and Nausheen Naz (50') scored for India. Aurora Kovacevich scored Australia's only goal in the 8th minute.
What tournament does India's U18 women's hockey team play next?
India's U18 women's hockey team is set to compete in the U18 Asia Cup in Japan, beginning later in May 2025. The series against Australia was part of their preparation for the tournament.
How did India perform in the earlier matches of the series?
India lost the first match 3-4, the second 1-4, and the third match after failing to equalise following a 1-1 draw at halftime. The final match's 4-1 win was their only victory of the series.
