India's U18 Men's Hockey Team Clinches Record Third Asia Cup Title; Women's Team Secures Bronze
India's U18 Men's Hockey Team delivered a dominant performance to defeat hosts Japan 4-1 and lift a record third Men's U18 Asia Cup title, further underlining the country's growing strength in youth hockey.
The Indian side got off to a dream start when star forward Purti opened the scoring in the second minute. He continued his remarkable form by adding two more goals in the 28th and 34th minutes to complete a sensational hat-trick. Captain Ketan Kushwaha also found the net in the 30th minute as India overwhelmed the hosts on their home turf.
Purti finished the tournament as the leading scorer with an impressive 13 goals, including a memorable four-goal performance in India's dramatic 5-3 comeback victory over Pakistan in the semi-finals.
India's success was not limited to the men's competition. The U18 Women's Hockey Team also impressed by defeating South Korea 3-0 to secure the bronze medal, completing a successful campaign for Indian hockey in Japan.
The achievements earned praise from Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who congratulated both teams for their outstanding performances and commitment to excellence. Hockey India also announced cash rewards to recognize the players and support staff for their achievements on the continental stage.
Former Indian captain and coach Sardar Singh highlighted the importance of youth development, stating that tournaments like the Asia Cup provide valuable experience and help prepare young players for future success with the senior national teams.
The twin achievements in Japan reflect the growing depth of talent in Indian hockey and reinforce the country's reputation as one of Asia's leading hockey nations. With a strong pipeline of young stars emerging, Indian hockey appears well-positioned for continued success on the international stage.
A proud day for Indian hockey!
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) June 6, 2026
Congratulations to our Men’s U18 Hockey Team for clinching the Men’s U18 Asia Cup 2026 title.
Their exceptional teamwork, talent & fighting spirit throughout the tournament culminated in a memorable victory in the final, where they defeated the… pic.twitter.com/r24EWOSgKm
