India Clinches Gold in FIH Youth Hockey5s Championship with Victory Over Pakistan

India's Triumph in the Gold Medal Match

The Indian Sub-Junior Men's Hockey Team showcased an impressive performance, defeating their long-time rivals Pakistan 3-1 in the Gold Medal match of the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 held in Muscat. Goals from Romit Pal (5'), captain Ketan Kushwaha (12'), and Shahrukh Ali (13') secured India's title as Asian Champions. This victory marked a flawless campaign for the Indian Men's team, who finished at the top of the Elite Pool table.

Match Highlights

In the final match, India quickly established control with precise passing and a solid game plan. Romit Pal opened the scoring in the first half at the 5-minute mark, putting India ahead 1-0 at halftime.

The second half saw India continue their strong performance, with captain Ketan Kushwaha scoring at the 12-minute mark, followed closely by Shahrukh Ali's goal just a minute later, extending the lead to 3-0. Although Pakistan's Muhammad Usman managed to score at the 16-minute mark, India's defense held strong in the final moments, ensuring a 3-1 victory and the championship trophy.

Tournament Outcomes and World Cup Qualification

Both India and Pakistan qualified for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup by reaching the final.

In the women's category, the Indian Sub-Junior Women's Team earned a Silver Medal after a challenging match against China, ensuring that both Indian teams returned home with medals.

Hockey India Rewards Teams

In recognition of the outstanding performances by both teams, Hockey India announced cash rewards. Each player from the Gold medal-winning Indian Men's Team will receive Rs 2 Lakhs, while support staff members will be awarded Rs 1 Lakh each. Additionally, players from the Silver medal-winning Indian Women's Team will receive Rs 1 Lakh, with Rs 50,000 allocated to each support staff member.