Kakamigahara [Japan], May 29 (ANI): The Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team opened its marketing campaign on the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 with a dominant 13-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday in Pool A.
Captain Ketan Kushwaha led from the entrance with three objectives, whereas Prahalad Rajbhar, Ashish Tani Purti, Ansh Bahutra and Shahrukh Ali registered a brace every, in accordance with a launch.
India managed proceedings from the outset and was rewarded for his or her persistence after Kazakhstan weathered the early strain.
Shahrukh Ali (12′) broke the impasse with a thunderous strike from contained in the circle earlier than Prahalad Rajbhar (14′) doubled the benefit simply two minutes later, giving India a agency grip on the competition by the tip of the primary quarter.
Goals continued to circulate within the second quarter. Captain Kushwaha (18′) was properly positioned to complete from shut vary after India received possession excessive up the pitch, whereas Gazee Khan (20′) added a fourth shortly after to increase the lead.
India confirmed no indicators of easing off earlier than the break. Shahrukh (29′) accomplished his brace with a scientific end, and Purti (30′) transformed a penalty nook a minute later, as India surged to a commanding 6-0 lead at half-time.
The third quarter proved to be the most efficient, with 4 of India’s 5 objectives coming via penalty corners. Bahutra (31′, 44′) transformed twice whereas Purti additionally went on to finish a brace. In the ultimate minute of the quarter, Kushwaha scored twice in fast succession, together with a penalty nook, to finish his hat-trick. India completed the third quarter with an 11-0 lead.
The males in blue stored the strain on within the remaining quarter to spherical off a convincing victory. Akash Deep (47′) tapped the ball into an open aim to place his identify on the scoresheet earlier than Rajbhar scored his second aim of the day within the 51st minute.
India will subsequent face hosts Japan on May 31 at 1:30 PM IST as they appear to proceed their profitable begin to the match. (ANI)