Indian U-18 Hockey Teams Celebrate Success at Asia Cup 2026

Warm Welcome for U-18 Hockey Teams

On Monday, the Indian Under-18 men's and women's hockey teams were greeted with enthusiasm at the Delhi airport following their impressive performances at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 held in Japan. The men's team secured a gold medal, while the women's team achieved a bronze.

Men's Team Triumphs with Gold

The Indian men's hockey team emerged victorious with a commanding 4-1 win against the host nation, Japan, in the final match at Kakamigahara on Saturday. Ashish Tani Purti was a standout player, netting three goals at the 2nd, 28th, and 34th minutes, while captain Ketan Kushwaha contributed another goal in the 30th minute. Japan's Numada Gaku managed to score their only goal.

Upon their return, captain Ketan Kushwaha expressed his joy over the victory, highlighting the team's collective effort. He stated, "We are thrilled to have won the Asia Cup in Japan. Everyone played exceptionally well. After a 40-day training camp, we are proud to return home as champions. Ashish consistently delivered when needed, and we were eager to face Japan again after our previous loss. Our goal now is to secure gold at the Olympics."

Coaching Insights

Head coach Sardar Singh praised the team's preparation and camaraderie, saying, "I am very pleased. Given the limited time we had, the team performed admirably. We focused on team bonding and understanding international game requirements, which significantly contributed to our success. The players executed our strategies effectively, leading to these results."

Ashish Tani Purti's Performance

Ashish Tani Purti, named Player of the Match in the final, shared his thoughts on the team's determination throughout the tournament. "I'm very pleased with our performance. We were resolute as a team, determined to overcome any opponent, especially Japan on their home turf," he remarked.

Recognition for Achievements

In recognition of their success, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each player on the gold medal-winning men's team and ₹1.5 lakh for the support staff.

Women's Team Achieves Bronze

The Indian women's U-18 team concluded their tournament on a high note, defeating Korea 3-0 in the bronze medal match. Goals were scored by Sandeepa Kumari, captain Sweety Kujur, and Nousheen Naz, marking a successful tournament where the team scored a total of 36 goals, showcasing both offensive prowess and defensive strength.

Captain Sweety Kujur reflected on the lessons learned during the tournament, stating, "We played well as a unit, but we succumbed to pressure at times, which affected our performance. Our coach instilled discipline and teamwork in us, which are crucial in sports. Our aim for the next tournament is to strive for gold after achieving bronze this time."

Coach's Perspective

Head coach Rani Rampal acknowledged the team's initial goal of winning the title but expressed satisfaction with the experience gained. "We had high expectations based on our training, but reaching the semi-finals was a new experience for these girls. Finishing on the podium in their first tournament is a significant achievement for their future prospects. These players have the potential to compete in the 2032 and 2036 Olympics," she noted.

Praise for Nousheen Naz

Rampal also commended striker Nousheen Naz for her remarkable performance, scoring 12 goals in the tournament. "Scoring 12 goals is a notable achievement, but it’s important to recognize that teamwork and defense play crucial roles in such success. Nousheen has a bright future ahead, and her goal-scoring ability is vital for our team," she added.

Team's Commitment to Improvement

Nousheen Naz expressed her contentment with her performance and the team's overall results, stating, "I am pleased with how I played. The team performed excellently, and we are committed to working even harder moving forward."

Financial Rewards for Women's Team

Hockey India also announced a cash reward of ₹1 lakh for each player of the bronze medal-winning women's team and ₹50,000 for each member of the support staff.