Source sportstar
MOQI, CHINA — The Indian junior men’s hockey team cemented its undisputed reign over Asian hockey on Sunday, dismantling South Korea 4-1 in a commanding final at the Moqi Training Base. The emphatic victory not only handed India a historic fourth consecutive Junior Asia Cup crown—and a record-extending sixth continental title overall—but also officially punched their ticket to the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup.
From the opening whistle, India took control of the tempo with clinical passing and relentless circle entries. The breakthrough arrived in the 9th minute when forward Ajeet Yadav turned in a smart deflection to hand India an early lead. Four minutes later, captain Anmol Ekka doubled the advantage, finishing off a sharp attacking move in the 13th minute to leave the Koreans reeling.
South Korea attempted to push back with late first-quarter penalty corner opportunities, but India’s defensive structure stood resolute. The momentum stayed firmly with the defending champions in the second quarter, as Prabhdeep Singh struck a superb field goal in the 21st minute to establish a comfortable 3-0 lead heading into the half-time break.
India maintained their stranglehold in the second half, continually putting pressure on the Korean backline. The pressure paid off in the 50th minute when Ashu Maurya converted a penalty corner to push the scoreline to 4-0. South Korea managed a consolation strike four minutes later, with captain Lee Minhyeok converting a 54th-minute penalty stroke, but India calmly saw out the remaining minutes to close out the 4-1 triumph.
The victory completed a memorable double for Indian hockey, coming just hours after the Indian junior women’s team also clinched their respective Asia Cup title by edging China 1-0. Following the men’s triumph, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹3 lakh for each squad member and ₹1.5 lakh for each member of the coaching and support staff.
