Kakamigahara (japan), June 6: Ashish Purti struck a fine hat-trick as a dominant India defeated hosts Japan 4-1 in the final to lift the men’s Under-18 Asia Cup title here on Friday.
Purti scored in the 2nd, 28th and 34th minutes while captain Ketan Kushwaha (30th) also found the back of the net as India produced a commanding display against the home team.
Numada Gaku scored Japan’s lone goal of the contest in the 52nd minute.
Acknowledging the team’s achievement, Hockey India (HI) announced a cash award of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the gold medal-winning team and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.
HI also announced a cash award of Rs 1 lakh for each player of the Indian women’s U-18 team that secured the bronze medal earlier in the day, along with Rs 50,000 for each member of the support staff.
India wasted no time in making their presence felt, winning a penalty corner inside the opening 90 seconds. Purti made no mistake with the finish, giving India an early lead.
India earned a penalty corner in the 28th minute and Purti stepped up once again and delivered, driving a powerful shot into the net to make it 2-0.
The momentum was firmly with India, and it showed almost immediately. Prahalad Rajbhar won the ball in a dangerous area, surged forward, and laid it off to captain Kushwaha, who finished coolly to put India 3-0 ahead at halftime.
A slick run from Varinder Singh resulted in another penalty corner, and Purti completed his hat-trick with a clinical finish in the 34th minute to hand India a commanding 4-0 lead.
Japan pushed hard in the final quarter and, in the 52nd minute, Numada Gaku converted a penalty stroke to reduce the deficit to 4-1.
Puti was adjudged player of the match for his stellar performance, capping of an exceptional campaign that saw him emerge as the top scorer with 13 goals in the competition.
India eve clinch bronze
The Indian women team won the bronze medal after registering a commanding 3-0 victory over Korea in the third-place match here on Saturday.
Sandeepa Kumari (2’), captain Sweety Kujur (16’) and Nousheen Naz (33’) were on target as India capped off their campaign with a podium finish.
Determined to bounce back from their narrow shootout defeat against China in the semifinals, India made a dream start and took the lead within the opening two minutes.
Sandeepa Kumari (2’) showcased excellent composure, producing a brilliant finish to give India the breakthrough and set the tone for the contest.
India continued to dominate possession and create opportunities in the attacking circle. Their persistence paid off in the 16th minute when Sweety Kujur found the back of the net with a field goal to double India’s advantage heading into the second quarter.
India maintained control and further extended their lead in the 33rd minute. The tournament’s top scorer, Nousheen Naz, added her name to the scoresheet with a clinical field goal, taking her tally to 12 goals in the competition and strengthening her position at the top of the scoring charts. (PTI)
