India Junior Women End UK Tour with Valuable Lessons Ahead of Asia Cup Challenge

The Indian junior women's hockey team concluded its exposure-cum-competition tour of the United Kingdom with three wins and four defeats , gaining valuable international experience ahead of the FIH Women's Junior Asia Cup 2026 in China.

The seven-match tour featured challenging contests against Scotland's senior women's team , USA U-21 , England U-21 , and Belgium U-21 , providing India's young squad with an opportunity to test itself against varied playing styles before its biggest assignment of the year.

India began the campaign in Edinburgh with two narrow defeats against Scotland, losing 2-3 in the opener before suffering a 1-3 setback in the second encounter. Shashi Khasa scored India's lone goal in the latter match, while Scotland capitalised on key opportunities to seal both victories.

The team responded emphatically with a 6-0 demolition of USA U-21 , powered by a brace from Sukhveer Kaur and goals from Kajal, Shashi Khasa, Purnima Yadav and Puja Sahoo . Confidence carried into the next fixture as India defeated England U-21 2-0 , with Binima Dhan and Roshni Aind finding the net.

India then drew 1-1 against USA U-21 after Puja Sahoo converted a penalty corner, although the Americans claimed the accompanying shootout 3-2 . The Indian side bounced back again by defeating England 2-0 , courtesy of field goals from Krishna Sharma and Purnima Yadav , before ending the tour with a hard-fought 1-2 loss to Belgium U-21 .

Captain Shileima Chanu Khaidem described the tour as an invaluable learning experience, saying the squad improved with every match while identifying areas requiring further attention.

The team's focus now shifts to the Women's Junior Asia Cup , scheduled from September 4 to 13 in Moqi, China . The continental tournament also serves as a crucial pathway to the FIH Junior Women's Hockey World Cup , making India's preparations and lessons from the UK tour especially significant for the young squad.