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India clinched the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 hockey title with a 4-1 win over hosts Japan, powered by a hat-trick from forward Ashish Tani Purti and a goal from captain Ketan Kushwaha. The result sealed the gold medal in Kakamigahara on 6 June 2026.
Ashish Tani Purti scored in the 2nd, 28th and 34th minutes, while captain Ketan Kushwaha struck in the 30th minute. Japan replied through Numada Gaku's penalty stroke in the 52nd minute, but the late effort could not prevent India from lifting the championship trophy.
Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 key awards and honours
Indian players collected major individual honours at the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026. Ashish Tani Purti received the Player of the Match award for the final and finished as tournament Top Scorer with 13 goals. Goalkeeper Ayush Rajak was named
Best Goalkeeper, highlighting India's strength at both ends.
The women's event at the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 also brought success for India. Forward Nausheen Naz ended as Top Scorer with 12 goals, underlining consistent attacking displays. The combined performances of the boys' and girls' squads gave Indian junior hockey a strong boost at continental level.
Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 rewards and recognition
Hockey India announced cash rewards to acknowledge the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 medal winners. Each player from the Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team will receive INR 3 lakh, while every support staff member is set to get INR 1.5 lakh for the title-winning campaign against Japan.
The federation confirmed that the Indian U-18 Women's Hockey Team, which secured bronze earlier on 6 June 2026, will receive INR 1 lakh for each player. Support staff in the women's setup will be awarded INR 50,000 each, reflecting recognition for both squads' efforts during the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 programme.
Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 match and scoring details
India's scoring pattern in the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 final showed early control and sharp finishing. The team struck three times before half-time and added another soon after the restart, while Japan's only reply came in the closing quarter through a penalty stroke conversion.
| Team | Player | Minute | Type | Scoreline after goal |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | Ashish Tani Purti | 2' | Penalty corner | 1-0 |
| India | Ashish Tani Purti | 28' | Penalty corner | 2-0 |
| India | Ketan Kushwaha | 30' | Field goal | 3-0 |
| India | Ashish Tani Purti | 34' | Penalty corner | 4-0 |
| Japan | Numada Gaku | 52' | Penalty stroke | 4-1 |
The opening quarter of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 final saw India strike quickly. A penalty corner inside the first 90 seconds allowed Ashish Tani Purti to score in the 2nd minute. Japan created four circle entries before the break, but India's defence blocked every attempt and kept the score at 1-0.
Japan increased pressure in the second quarter of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 decider and finally earned a first penalty corner, yet still could not find an equaliser. India then forced a penalty corner in the 28th minute, which Ashish Tani Purti converted, before Prahalad Rajbhar's pressing created an opening for captain Ketan Kushwaha's 30th-minute finish.
India continued to dictate terms in the third quarter of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 final. A fluent run from Varinder Singh produced another penalty corner opportunity. From that set piece, in the 34th minute, Ashish Tani Purti completed a hat-trick and pushed India into a 4-0 lead that left Japan under heavy pressure.
The last phase of the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 final brought Japan's best spell. In the 52nd minute, Numada Gaku scored from a penalty stroke, making it 4-1. Japan forced three further penalty corners, but India's defensive organisation held firm, confirming the scoreline and securing the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 crown.
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