Kakamigahara [Japan], June 6 (ANI): Ashish Tani Purti’s hat-trick powered the Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team to the Men’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026 title win after defeating hosts Japan 4-1 within the remaining in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday.
Ashish Tani Purti (2′, 28′, 34′) starred with a hat-trick, whereas captain Ketan Kushwaha (30′) additionally discovered the again of the web as India produced a commanding show in opposition to the hosts to raise the title. Numada Gaku (52′) scored Japan’s lone aim of the competition, in response to a press launch.
To recognise the groups’ achievements, Hockey India introduced a money award of INR 3 lakh for every participant of the gold medal-winning Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team and INR 1.5 lakh for every member of the help workers. Hockey India additionally introduced a money award of INR 1 lakh for every participant of the Indian U-18 Women’s Hockey Team, who secured the bronze medal earlier within the day, together with INR 50,000 for every member of the help workers.
Ashish Tani Purti was awarded Player of the Match for his stellar efficiency within the remaining and was additionally recognised because the event’s prime scorer with a powerful 17 objectives. India additional dominated the person honours with goalkeeper Ayush Rajak being named the Best Goalkeeper of the event. In the ladies’s competitors, India’s Nausheen Naz emerged as the highest scorer with 12 objectives, capping off a memorable marketing campaign for India on the Men’s and Women’s U-18 Asia Cup 2026.
In the primary quarter, India wasted no time in making their presence felt, successful a penalty nook contained in the opening 90 seconds. Ashish Tani Purti (2′) made no mistake with the end, giving India an early lead. Japan grew into the quarter, testing India with 4 circle penetrations, however the Indian defence stood agency all through as the primary quarter ended with India main 1-0.
The second quarter noticed India prolong their benefit regardless of sustained stress from the hosts. Japan earned their first penalty nook of the night time and regarded threatening, however the equaliser continued to elude them.
India responded with goal, incomes a penalty nook of their very own within the twenty eighth minute. Ashish Tani Purti stepped up as soon as once more and delivered, driving a robust shot into the web to make it 2-0. The momentum was firmly with India, and it confirmed nearly instantly. Prahalad Rajbhar gained the ball in a harmful space, surged ahead, and laid it off to captain Ketan Kushwaha (30′), who completed coolly to place India 3-0 forward at halftime.
India remained relentless within the third quarter. A silky run from Varinder Singh resulted in one other penalty nook, and Ashish Tani Purti accomplished his hat-trick with a medical end within the thirty fourth minute handy India a commanding 4-0 lead.
Japan pushed exhausting within the remaining quarter and, within the 52nd minute, Numada Gaku transformed a penalty stroke to cut back the deficit to 4-1. However, the aim proved to be little greater than a comfort. Japan earned three extra penalty corners within the closing phases however couldn’t discover a well beyond the resolute Indian defence as India sealed a memorable victory and the championship title. (ANI)