Moqi [China], September 5 (ANI): India’s Junior Males’s Hockey Group made a commanding begin to their title defence on the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, producing a ruthless 14-0 victory over Indonesia of their opening Pool A encounter in Moqi, China, on Saturday.
Captain Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh and Ajeet Yadav spearheaded the emphatic efficiency, scoring 12 objectives between them because the five-time champions instantly stamped their authority on the event, in accordance with a press launch.
Prabhdeep was probably the most prolific scorer of the day, discovering the web 5 instances to earn the ‘Participant of the Match’ award, whereas skipper Anmol contributed 4 objectives and Yadav scored thrice for his hat-trick. Harpal and Ashu Maurya accounted for the opposite two objectives as India maintained relentless stress all through the competition.
India’s attacking intent was evident from the opening whistle as they repeatedly entered the Indonesian circle and created scoring alternatives. Prabhdeep opened the scoring within the fifth minute, giving India an early benefit earlier than Harpal doubled the lead within the eighth minute. Indonesia struggled to deal with the tempo and motion of the Indian assault as the primary quarter ended with India firmly in management at 2-0.
The Indian ahead line continued to seek out openings within the second quarter. Anmol acquired his first purpose of the match within the sixteenth minute when the Indonesian defence was penalised with a penalty stroke. Yadav added one other 4 minutes later to make it 4-0. Prabhdeep then took centre stage, scoring within the twenty sixth and thirtieth minutes to finish his hat-trick and take India into half-time with a commanding 6-0 lead.
There was little respite for Indonesia after the break, with India persevering with to dominate possession and territory. Anmol was notably efficient from set-pieces, changing penalty corners within the thirty fifth and forty second minutes so as to add two extra objectives to his tally. Prabhdeep then struck once more shortly earlier than the top of the third quarter, because the scoreline learn 9-0.
The ultimate quarter proved to be the best interval of the match as India discovered the web 5 extra instances. Anmol accomplished his four-goal haul within the 51st minute, earlier than Prabhdeep scored once more a minute later to deliver up his fifth purpose of the match.
Yadav then accomplished his hat-trick emphatically, scoring twice within the 53rd minute as India surged to a 13-0 benefit. Maurya rounded off the scoring within the 59th minute, scoring off a penalty nook to finish the 14-0 rout.
India’s dominance was mirrored of their purpose distribution, with 9 area objectives complemented by 4 penalty-corner conversions and a penalty stroke. Anmol transformed three penalty corners and the penalty stroke, whereas Maurya scored from the fourth set-piece.
The defeat was Indonesia’s second in as many matches, following their 0-9 loss to South Korea on Friday. They continue to be fifth in Pool A, behind fourth-placed Chinese language Taipei, who went down 0-7 to Japan.
With three factors from their opening match, India are degree with Japan and South Korea however occupy high spot in Pool A on purpose distinction, giving the defending champions an excellent begin to their marketing campaign. (ANI)
