ANI
29 May 2026, 14:30 GMT+10
Kakamigahara [Japan], May 29 (ANI): The Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team opened its campaign at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 with a dominant 13-0 victory over Kazakhstan in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Friday in Pool A.
Captain Ketan Kushwaha led from the front with three goals, while Prahalad Rajbhar, Ashish Tani Purti, Ansh Bahutra and Shahrukh Ali registered a brace each, according to a release.
India controlled proceedings from the outset and was rewarded for their persistence after Kazakhstan weathered the early pressure.
Shahrukh Ali (12') broke the deadlock with a thunderous strike from inside the circle before Prahalad Rajbhar (14') doubled the advantage just two minutes later, giving India a firm grip on the contest by the end of the first quarter.
Goals continued to flow in the second quarter. Captain Kushwaha (18') was well placed to finish from close range after India won possession high up the pitch, while Gazee Khan (20') added a fourth shortly after to extend the lead.
India showed no signs of easing off before the break. Shahrukh (29') completed his brace with a clinical finish, and Purti (30') converted a penalty corner a minute later, as India surged to a commanding 6-0 lead at half-time.
The third quarter proved to be the most productive, with four of India's five goals coming through penalty corners. Bahutra (31', 44') converted twice while Purti also went on to complete a brace. In the final minute of the quarter, Kushwaha scored twice in quick succession, including a penalty corner, to complete his hat-trick. India finished the third quarter with an 11-0 lead.
The men in blue kept the pressure on in the final quarter to round off a resounding victory. Akash Deep (47') tapped the ball into an open goal to put his name on the scoresheet before Rajbhar scored his second goal of the day in the 51st minute.
India will next face hosts Japan on May 31 at 1:30 PM IST as they look to continue their winning start to the tournament. (ANI)
Get a daily dose of Afghanistan Sun news through our daily email, its complimentary and keeps you fully up to date with world and business news as well.
Publish news of your business, community or sports group, personnel appointments, major event and more by submitting a news release to Afghanistan Sun.
More InformationWashington's relationship with Russia appears likely to continue its decades-long decline, with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio...
LISBON, Portugal: Portuguese police said on May 26 that they have broken up a criminal group that was illegally helping about 4,000...
BEIJING, China: An early investigation into China's worst mining disaster in more than 15 years has found hidden tunnels, missing...
DUBAI, U.A.E.: Iran's state TV said that Tehran has received an early, unofficial draft of a possible agreement with the United States...
VATICAN CITY: Pope Leo XIV made a historic apology on May 25 for the role the Holy See played in supporting slavery and for not condemning...
AMSTERDAM, Netherlands: Syria's new leadership has found parts of former President Bashar al-Assad's secret chemical weapons program....
Kakamigahara [Japan], May 29 (ANI): The Indian U-18 Men's Hockey Team opened its campaign at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 with a dominant...
JIUQUAN, May 29 (Xinhua) -- China's Shenzhou-22 crewed spaceship undocked from the space station combination at 2:44 p.m. (Beijing...
New Delhi [India], May 29 (ANI): Union Minister Kiren Rijiju on Friday congratulated India's wrestlers for their stellar showing at...
The bloc needed a big enemy and deliberately cast Russia as a long-term threat, Alexander Grushko has told RT NATO requires confrontation...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Shakil Siddiqui, Editor-in-Chief at Mahabodhi Society of Sri Lanka, Sanchi center on Thursday said...
New Delhi [India], May 28 (ANI): Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday congratulated India's wrestlers for a historic performance...
