India Beat Pakistan 3-1 to Clinch FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship Title

Muscat, July 2026: India’s Sub-Junior men’s hockey team delivered a commanding performance to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 in the final of the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, securing the continental title with an unbeaten campaign.

India dominated the summit clash from the opening whistle, displaying superior passing, disciplined defending and clinical finishing to outclass Pakistan. The victory capped a flawless tournament for the young Indian side, which had also topped the Elite Pool standings without losing a match.

Romit Pal opened the scoring in the fifth minute, giving India an early advantage with a well-taken strike that beat the Pakistani goalkeeper. The Indians maintained control for the remainder of the first half, heading into the break with a deserved 1-0 lead.

The second half saw India raise the tempo further. Captain Ketan Kushwaha doubled the lead in the 12th minute with a composed finish before Shahrukh Ali struck just a minute later to make it 3-0, effectively putting the contest beyond Pakistan’s reach.

Pakistan managed to reduce the deficit through Muhammad Usman, who scored in the 16th minute. However, the Indian defence remained resolute in the closing stages, denying Pakistan any opportunity to stage a comeback and sealing a memorable 3-1 victory.

With their place in the final, both India and Pakistan also secured qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, marking another significant achievement for the two Asian hockey powerhouses.

India also enjoyed success in the women’s competition. The Indian Sub-Junior women’s team produced an impressive campaign before finishing with the silver medal, following a closely contested final against China. The twin podium finishes ensured that both Indian teams returned home with medals from the continental championship.

Recognising the outstanding performances, Hockey India announced cash rewards for both squads. Every player from the championship-winning men’s team will receive ₹2 lakh, while each member of the support staff will be awarded ₹1 lakh.

The silver medal-winning women’s team will also be rewarded, with each player receiving ₹1 lakh, while members of the support staff will be presented with ₹50,000 each.

The title triumph underlines the growing strength of India’s grassroots hockey programme and reflects the country’s continued investment in nurturing young talent. With the Youth Hockey5s World Cup on the horizon, India’s young stars will now look to build on this success and make their mark on the global stage.

Team Maverick.