India U18 men win Asia Cup, women claim bronze

India’s under-18 men’s hockey team was crowned champion of the Asia Cup on Saturday, defeating host nation Japan 4-1 in the final in Kakamigahara. The women’s under-18 team secured a bronze medal earlier the same day with a 3-0 victory over Korea in their third-place match.

The men’s final saw a dominant performance from the Indian side. Forward Ashish Tani Purti scored a hat-trick, finding the net in the 2nd, 28th, and 34th minutes. Captain Ketan Kushwaha added a goal in the 30th minute, giving India a commanding 4-0 lead by the third quarter. Japan’s sole response came from Numada Gaku, who scored from a penalty stroke in the 52nd minute. Purti was named player of the match and finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals.

The men’s path to the final included a dramatic 5-3 comeback victory over Pakistan in the semifinal on Friday. In that match, India trailed 3-2 in the final quarter before Purti scored three consecutive goals to secure the win.

In the women’s bronze medal match, goals from Sandeepa Kumari, Captain Sweety Kujur, and Nousheen Naz secured the 3-0 win for India. The team had reached the semifinal, where they lost to China in a penalty shootout after a...