Patna: Indian hockey continued to make headlines at the Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, with both the men’s and women’s teams producing impressive performances.
The women’s team registered a massive 19-0 victory over Pakistan in the quarter-final, while the defending champion men’s team defeated Malaysia 3-1 in the semi-final to secure a place in the final.
Rural Development and Information & Public Relations Minister and Hockey Association of Bihar president Shravan Kumar welcomed the performances, saying the results reflect the strong position of Indian hockey.
He congratulated the players, coaching staff and support team for their performances and said their hard work, discipline and sporting skills had brought pride to the country.
India Women Dominate Pakistan With 19-0 Win
The Indian women’s team produced one of its most emphatic performances of the tournament against Pakistan.
India started the quarter-final aggressively and established complete control in the first half, scoring 10 goals before the break. The team continued its attacking approach in the second half and added another nine goals, eventually winning the match 19-0.
As many as 13 Indian players scored goals during the match, underlining the team’s attacking depth. Pooja Malik scored a hat-trick in the emphatic victory.
The result has kept the Indian women’s team unbeaten in the tournament and strengthened its position ahead of the knockout stage.
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Women’s Team to Face South Korea in Semi-Final
After the big win over Pakistan, the Indian women’s team will now face South Korea in the semi-final on September 12.
The unbeaten Indian side will look to carry the momentum from its quarter-final performance into the next match. A victory against South Korea would take the team into the final and bring it closer to the Junior Asia Cup title.
The performance against Pakistan has also highlighted the team’s ability to maintain pressure and convert opportunities consistently.
Men’s Team Beats Malaysia 3-1 to Enter Final
The defending champion Indian men’s team also continued its strong campaign by defeating Malaysia 3-1 in the semi-final.
With the victory, India secured its place in the tournament final. The team had earlier finished at the top of its pool, establishing itself as one of the leading sides in the competition.
India also produced a dominant performance in its final pool match against Chinese Taipei, winning the contest 15-0.
Captain Anmol Ekka played a major role in that victory, scoring six goals in the match.
The men’s team will now compete in the final on September 13, where it will aim to defend its title.
Shravan Kumar Hails Players and Coaching Staff
Reacting to the performances, Minister Shravan Kumar said the success of both teams reflects the strength of Indian hockey.
He congratulated the players, coaches and support staff and said the performances against Pakistan and Malaysia showed how young Indian players are using hard work, discipline and sporting ability to raise the country’s profile.
The minister expressed confidence that the men’s team would go on to win the title in the final. He also hoped that the women’s team would defeat South Korea and qualify for the final.
Junior Teams Show Depth of Indian Hockey
The performances at the Junior Asia Cup are significant for Indian hockey as the tournament provides a platform for young players to compete at the continental level.
The women’s 19-0 victory, in particular, demonstrated India’s attacking strength, while the men’s progress to the final showed the defending champions’ consistency throughout the competition.
With the women’s semi-final scheduled for September 12 and the men’s final on September 13, both Indian teams remain in contention for major honours.
Their performances also provide a positive indication of the depth available in Indian hockey and the potential of the next generation of players to contribute to the sport at the senior international level.
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