Indian women's hockey team hold nerve to beat Malaysia 2-1 in U18

ANI
30 May 2026, 23:35 GMT+10

Kakamigahara [Japan], May 30 (ANI): The Indian U18 Women's Hockey Team started their U18 Asia Cup 2026 campaign with a hard-fought 2-1 win over Malaysia in their opening Pool A match in Japan on Saturday.

India's 15-year-old forward Nousheen Naz scored both the goals to secure three points for her team, a release said.

After a goalless first quarter, India ended the deadlock in the 19th minute of the match off a penalty corner, when Nousheen capitalised on an opportunity during a set-piece to place the ball into the net and give India a 1-0 lead.

Continuing her good form, Nousheen struck again in the second quarter. In the 28th minute, she beat the Malaysian goalkeeper with a sharp shot to double India's lead to 2-0 before the hooter signalled half-time.

Malaysia looked to recover in the second half and eventually managed to cut India's lead down to one goal in the 41st minute, as Nur Azli breached the Indian post to reduce the margin to 2-1.

The Indian defence kept the opposition from causing further damage in the fourth quarter to seal the victory.

India created several scoring opportunities throughout the match and earned a total of 16 penalty corners. Nousheen was named 'Player of the Match' for her two goals, which proved to be the difference.

With this win, India are currently placed second in Pool A behind Korea. Both teams have three points each but are separated by goal difference.

India will play Korea in their next pool match on Sunday, May 31, 2026. (ANI)

Watch latest videos

News RELEASES

Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Kolkata Sun.

More Information

International

Section

Trump’s plan for $1.8 billion 'weaponization' fund blocked by judge

WASHINGTON, D.C.: A U.S. judge on May 29 temporarily stopped President Donald Trump's administration from creating a nearly US$1.8...

Slavery-era laws repealed by French parliament

PARIS, France: French lawmakers voted on May 28 to officially cancel old slavery-era laws that treated enslaved people as property...

US accuses Iran of attacking Kuwait, violating ceasefire

DUBAI, U.A.E.: The U.S. military said on May 28 that Iran broke a fragile ceasefire after Kuwait reported being attacked following...

Rescuers find five people trapped in Laos cave, two still missing

VIENTIANE, Laos: Five people who were trapped inside a cave in Laos for about a week were found alive on May 27. Rescue teams from...

Aide of attacker in Berlin Holocaust Memorial stabbing arrested

BERLIN, Germany: A man suspected of helping a convicted attacker carry out a stabbing at Berlin's Holocaust Memorial was arrested in...

WWII allies, then Cold War foes: U.S. & Russia’s rivalry

Washington's relationship with Russia appears likely to continue its decades-long decline, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio...

India

Section

Higher education foundation for Viksit Bharat 2047, says Uttarakhand CM Dhami

Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], May 30 (ANI): Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Saturday said higher education is not...

Delhi: 5-storey building collapses in Mehrauli area, rescue operation underway

New Delhi [India], May 30 (ANI): A five-storey building collapsed in the Mehrauli police station area of the national capital on Saturday....

Tourist surge boosts Himachal tourism, Centre's greater support needed for disaster preparedness ahead of monsoon: Minister Jagat Singh Negi

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], May 30 (ANI): Himachal Pradesh Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Saturday welcomed the surge...