India wins bronze at women's U18 Hockey Asia Cup

India on 22 December 2016 defeated South Korea 3-0 to secure the bronze medal at the 4th Women's U18 Asia Cup 2016 hockey tournament in Bangkok.

After the win, Hockey India announced cash rewards of Rs.1 lakh for each player. It also announced Rs.50000 for each member of the support staff.

In the first half of the game, both teams played were goalless. The best chance of the half fell to India’s Mahima Choudhary. India took the lead minutes after the break as Ritu scored the opener off a penalty corner. Sangita Kumari scored in the 55th and 58th minutes.

China was the winner of the Women Under-18 Asia Cup. The country emerged victorious with a 4-2 victory over defending champions Japan in the final at the National Hockey Training Centre.

About Asian Hockey Federation

• The Asia Cup is an international men's and women's field hockey tournament governed by the Asian Hockey Federation (ASHF).

• The Asian Hockey Federation was formed during the Asian Games of 1958 in Tokyo when hockey was first played in the Games.

• The first five member countries of the ASHF were India, Japan, Korea, Malaysian and Pakistan.

Earlier on 18 December 2016, India defeated Belgium 2-1 in the final to lift the 2016 Men's Hockey Junior World Cup.