The Indian men’s hockey team clinched the Junior Hockey Asia Cup title on Sunday, defeating South Korea 4-1 in the final match. This victory marks a historic achievement as India has now won the tournament four times in a row, having previously triumphed in 2015, 2023, and 2024. With this latest win in 2026, India becomes the first team to secure four consecutive titles in the history of the competition. Overall, this victory represents India’s sixth championship in the Men’s Junior Hockey Asia Cup. Earlier in the day, the Indian women’s team also celebrated success by winning the tournament, beating China 1-0 in their final.
By the time the halfway mark was reached, India had taken a 3-0 lead, sitting comfortably and well within sight of yet another title in the continental tournament. Ashu Maurya then helped India extend its lead to 4-0 by converting a penalty corner in the fourth and final quarter, as a listless South Korea struggled on all fronts. South Korea did manage to peg one goal back, but it was all too late, and India held its ground to win the final 4-1 to take the title home. The semi-finals saw India beating Malaysia 3-1, while the other knockout tie saw South Korea outclassing Pakistan 4-1. On Sunday, Pakistan won bronze after beating Malaysia 4-2 in the third-place playoff.
Prior to the final, India had won three games and drawn one to top the group, finishing one point ahead of the other finalist, South Korea. Ajeet Yadav, a product of Uttar Pradesh Hockey, opened the scoring for India in the final, and his goal in the ninth minute of the first quarter gave the defending champions an early lead and momentum in the fixture.
