India Triumphs Over Pakistan to Capture Youth Hockey5s Asian Crown

Muscat played host to a buzzing finale of the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026, and it was the Indian sub‑junior men’s side that walked away with the trophy, beating arch‑rivals Pakistan 3‑1. The atmosphere was electric – you could practically feel the tension and excitement humming through the arena.

India started the match with a bang. Just five minutes in, Romit Pal tucked the ball past the Pakistani keeper, giving the visitors an early 1‑0 lead. It felt like a flash of brilliance, and the Indian fans erupted, chanting and cheering with every pulse‑pounding moment.

The momentum didn’t stop there. Early in the second half, captain Ketan Kushwaha, who’s been leading the charge all tournament, found the net at the 12‑minute mark. Almost as if on cue, a minute later Shahrukh Ali struck again, turning a comfortable 2‑0 into a commanding 3‑0. Pakistan wasn’t going to roll over quietly; Muhammad Usman pulled one back at 16 minutes, but the Indian defence held firm for the remaining minutes.

Beyond the scoreline, the win sealed a perfect, unbeaten campaign for India. Topping the Elite Pool table and now qualifying, alongside Pakistan, for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, the youngsters have etched their names in the record books.

On the women’s side, the Indian sub‑junior squad fought valiantly but fell short, earning a silver medal after a hard‑fought final against China. Still, both Indian contingents head home with medals and plenty of pride.

Hockey India didn’t waste any time rewarding the achievements. Each player of the men’s gold‑winning team will pocket Rs 2 lakh, with the support staff getting Rs 1 lakh each. The women’s silver medallists will receive Rs 1 lakh per player and Rs 50,000 for every member of their backing crew. It’s a nice little bonus for the blood, sweat and tears they poured onto the turf.

All in all, the tournament was a showcase of emerging talent, fierce rivalry and the promise of more thrilling hockey to come. Keep an eye on these names – they’re the future of Indian hockey, and we’re just getting started.