China,sep 9
Defending champions India produced a commanding performance in their concluding Pool A fixture of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, storming past Chinese Taipei 15-0 on Wednesday to seal their place in the semi-finals in emphatic fashion. Captain Anmol Ekka led the charge with a sensational six-goal haul, all coming from penalty corners, as India recovered from a goalless opening quarter to overwhelm their opponents in the remaining 45 minutes, according to a release by Hockey India. The five-time champions finished at the top of Pool A with 10 points from three wins and a draw, while South Korea secured the other semi-final berth from the pool after edging Japan 3-2 to finish second with nine points. Japan, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei bowed out of the title race and will now compete in the classification matches.
The match began on an unexpected note as Chinese Taipei held India at bay through the opening quarter. Despite enjoying possession and creating opportunities, the defending champions were unable to find a way through a resolute Taipei defence.Coach Frederic Soyez used the two-minute quarter-break effectively, rallying his players and demanding greater intensity. His words had the desired impact as India returned with a renewed sense of purpose and completely shifted the momentum of the contest.Aryan Xess opened India’s account in the 17th minute, before Prabhdeep Singh doubled the advantage a minute later. Gursewak Singh then made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute, giving India three goals in the space of five minutes.The floodgates had opened, and skipper Anmol soon got in on the action. The defender converted a penalty corner in the 25th minute to register his first goal of the evening. Arjun Santosh Hargude added another in the 28th minute, before Anmol struck again from a set-piece in the next minute, the Hockey India release said.India headed into the half-time break with a commanding 6-0 lead, having scored six times in a remarkable second-quarter surge.
