Ananya Lohia , Japan - The Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team clinched the Men's U-18 Asia Cup 2026 title with a dominant 4-1 victory over host Japan in the final at Kakamigahara on Friday. Star forward Ashish Tani Purti produced a sensational hat-trick to guide India to a memorable triumph and cap off an outstanding tournament campaign.
India got off to a dream start when Tani Purti converted a penalty corner in the second minute to hand his side an early lead. Despite Japan creating several chances, the Indian defence remained resolute and protected the advantage through the opening quarter.The visitors doubled their lead in the 28th minute when Tani Purti struck again from a penalty corner. Just two minutes later, captain Ketan Kushwaha added a third after a brilliant build-up by Prahalad Rajbhar, giving India a commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.India continued to dominate after the break, with Tani Purti completing his hat-trick in the 34th minute from another penalty corner to make it 4-0. Japan managed a consolation goal in the 52nd minute through Numada Gaku, who converted a penalty stroke, but India comfortably saw out the contest to secure the championship.
Tani Purti was named Player of the Match and finished as the tournament's top scorer with 13 goals. Goalkeeper Ayush Rajak was adjudged the Best Goalkeeper of the tournament, underlining India's dominance throughout the competition.Following the victory, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each member of the gold medal-winning men's team and ₹1.5 lakh for every support staff member. The federation also rewarded the Indian U-18 Women's Team, which won bronze, with ₹1 lakh for each player and ₹50,000 for every support staff member. Women's forward Nausheen Naz emerged as the tournament's top scorer with 12 goals.
The victory marks another significant achievement for Indian hockey at the junior level, with both the men's and women's teams finishing the tournament on the podium.
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