U-18 Asia Cup: India colts drub Chinese Taipei 13-1 while eves thrash Singapore 25-0

KAKAMIGAHARA (Japan), June 3: The Indian men’s hockey team produced a clinical display, thrashing Chinese Taipei 13-1 in its last Pool A match to storm into the semifinals of the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 here on Wednesday.
India ended their pool engagements with wins against Kazakhstan, Korea and Chinese Taipei, while losing to hosts Japan. It gave them nine points from four matches.
The team’s attacking prowess was on full display against Chinese Taipei, with Ashish Tani Purti emerging as the standout performer with a hat-trick (27th, 35th, 42nd minutes),
Meanwhile Gazee Khan (40th, 44th), Siddharth Ben (30th, 52nd) and Rahul Yadav (20th, 54th) scored a brace each.
Karan Gautam (7th), Premchand Soy (11th), captain Ketan Kushwaha (13th) and Varinder Singh (50th) also contributed to the tally.
However, Yong-Jyun Jhang (30th) pulled a goal back for Chinese Taipei, scoring from a penalty corner just before the hooter to make it 6-1 at the break.
India will play their semifinal on Friday but their opponent will be decided after the last Pool A match between Japan and Kazakhstan later on Wednesday.
Already through to the semifinals, India produced a sensational display of attack to thrash Singapore 25-0 in their final Pool A match of the Women’s U18 Asia Cup here.
The emphatic victory on Tuesday ensured India finished the pool stage with an all-win record and topped Pool A on their way to the semifinals.
India’s attacking depth was on full display as 10 different players registered their names on the scoresheet, led by Nousheen Naz, who struck seven goals (8’, 13’, 17’, 18’, 40’, 52’, 58’).
Geethasri Nammi, who was named ‘Player of the Match’ hit five goals (13’, 28’, 47’, 48’, 60’), while captain Sweety Kujur contributed four (2’, 24’, 38’, 45’).
Priyanka Minz also scored a hat-trick (22’, 37’, 53’), with Diya (27’), Nancy Saroha (36’), Shruti Kumari (40’), Pushpa Manjhi (47’), Rashmeen Kaur (47’) and Sandeepa Kumari (51’) completing the rout.Having secured victories over Malaysia, Korea and Singapore, India finished atop Pool A with a perfect record and nine points. Their semifinal opponents will be known once the Pool B fixtures are completed later in the day. (PTI)