India beat Pakistan 3-1 to win FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship gold
Synopsis
India's Sub-Junior men went unbeaten through the entire FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship and finished it with a 3-1 demolition of Pakistan in the gold medal match in Muscat. With the women also bagging silver against China, India returns with medals from both contingents — and crucially, a World Cup berth already locked in.
Key Takeaways
Indian Sub-Junior men defeated Pakistan 3-1 in the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship final in Muscat on 26 July .
Goals from Romit Pal (5'), captain Ketan Kushwaha (12'), and Shahrukh Ali (13') secured the title; Muhammad Usman (16') scored Pakistan's consolation.
India completed the tournament unbeaten , also topping the Elite Pool table.
Both India and Pakistan have qualified for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup .
The Indian women's team won silver after losing their final to China .
Hockey India announced ₹2 lakh per men's player, ₹1 lakh per women's player as cash rewards.
The Indian Sub-Junior men's hockey team clinched the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship title in Muscat on 26 July, defeating arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 in the gold medal final to complete an unbeaten campaign. The victory also secured India's berth in the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
How India Won the Final
Romit Pal broke the deadlock in the 5th minute, slotting past the Pakistani goalkeeper to hand India a 1-0 lead at half-time. The men in blue were sharp in their passing and disciplined in structure throughout the first period.
India doubled down early in the second half as captain Ketan Kushwaha found the net in the 12th minute, followed almost immediately by Shahrukh Ali in the 13th minute to make it 3-0. Pakistan pulled one back through Muhammad Usman in the 16th minute, but the Indian defence held firm to seal a 3-1 victory and lift the trophy.
Unbeaten Run and World Cup Qualification
The gold medal win capped a dominant, unbeaten campaign for the Indian men's side, who had also topped the Elite Pool table heading into the knockout stage. Notably, by virtue of reaching the final, both India and Pakistan have qualified for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup — a significant milestone for the sub-junior programme.
Women's Team Claims Silver
The Indian Sub-Junior women's team returned with a silver medal after a hard-fought final against China. The result means both Indian contingents — men and women — return home with medals from the championship, underlining the depth of India's sub-junior hockey pipeline.
Hockey India Announces Cash Rewards
Hockey India announced cash rewards to celebrate the squads' performances. Each player in the gold medal-winning men's team will receive ₹2 lakh, while each support staff member will get ₹1 lakh. For the silver medal-winning women's team, each player will receive ₹1 lakh and each support staff member ₹50,000.
The results mark a strong statement from India's sub-junior hockey setup, with both teams now set to carry their continental form onto the world stage.
Point of View
A 3-1 win over Pakistan in the final, and a silver from the women's side — this is a clean sweep of credibility for India's sub-junior hockey programme. What makes it more significant is the World Cup berth: the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup is an inaugural edition, meaning India has a genuine shot at writing history at the ground floor. Hockey India's cash reward structure, while modest, sends a clear signal that the federation is investing in the pipeline below the senior level — something that has historically been inconsistent. The real test will be whether this momentum is institutionalised or celebrated and forgotten.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2025 men's gold?
India won the men's gold medal, defeating Pakistan 3-1 in the final held in Muscat on 26 July. The Indian Sub-Junior men's team remained unbeaten throughout the entire tournament.
Who scored for India in the Hockey5s Asian Championship final against Pakistan?
Romit Pal (5'), captain Ketan Kushwaha (12'), and Shahrukh Ali (13') scored for India. Pakistan's consolation goal came from Muhammad Usman in the 16th minute.
Did India qualify for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup?
Yes. By reaching the final of the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship, both India and Pakistan have qualified for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
How did the Indian women's team perform at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship?
The Indian Sub-Junior women's team won the silver medal after finishing as runners-up to China in their final. Both Indian contingents — men and women — return home with medals.
What cash rewards did Hockey India announce for the teams?
Hockey India announced ₹2 lakh per player and ₹1 lakh per support staff member for the gold medal-winning men's team. Each player of the silver medal-winning women's team will receive ₹1 lakh, with ₹50,000 for each support staff member.
