India produced a memorable double success at the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, on Sunday, September 13. Both the junior men’s and women’s hockey teams clinched the continental titles, reinforcing India’s dominance in junior hockey.
Men’s Team: Record Sixth Title with 4-1 Win Over South Korea
The Indian junior men’s team defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final to secure a record-extending sixth Junior Asia Cup title and their fourth consecutive crown.
Goal scorers for India:
Ajeet Yadav (9th minute)
Captain Anmol Ekka (13th minute)
Prabhdeep Singh (21st minute)
Ashu Maurya (50th minute)
South Korea’s captain Lee Minhyeok converted a penalty stroke in the 54th minute for their only goal.
India dominated from the start, leading 3-0 at half-time, and never looked back. This victory makes India the first team to win the men’s Junior Asia Cup four times in succession and extends their status as the most successful nation in the tournament’s history (previous titles: 2004, 2008, 2015, 2023, 2024).
Women’s Team: Third Straight Title with 1-0 Win Over China
Earlier in the day, the Indian junior women’s team successfully defended their title by edging hosts China 1-0 in a tightly contested final.
Sanika Chandrakant Mane scored the decisive goal in the 17th minute. India held firm under pressure in the second half to complete a hat-trick of Women’s Junior Asia Cup titles.
The women finished the tournament unbeaten, having earlier crushed Pakistan 19-0 in the quarter-finals and beaten South Korea 5-1 in the semi-finals.
World Cup Qualification and Rewards
Both teams have booked their places in the respective FIH Junior World Cups next year.
Hockey India announced prize money of ₹3 lakh for each player and ₹1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff for both squads.
This golden double highlights the depth and strength of India’s junior hockey programme and strengthens the country’s position as a powerhouse in Asian junior hockey.
