India win record 6th Junior Hockey Asia Cup, beat South Korea 4-1
Synopsis
India's junior men swept to a record sixth Junior Hockey Asia Cup crown — their fourth in a row — with a clinical 4-1 demolition of South Korea in Moqi, China. On the same day, the junior women's team also beat China 1-0 for their third straight title, giving Indian hockey a rare and historic double at a single continental tournament.
Key Takeaways
India beat South Korea 4-1 in the Junior Hockey Asia Cup final on 13 September 2026 at Moqi, China .
It is India's sixth Junior Hockey Asia Cup title overall — the most by any nation — and their fourth in a row .
Scorers: Ajeet Yadav (9'), Anmol Ekka (13'), Prabhdeep Singh (21'), Ashu Maurya (50'); Lee Minhyeok (54') for South Korea.
The win qualifies India for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup .
India's junior women's team also won the Women's Junior Hockey Asia Cup, beating China 1-0 for their third consecutive title .
India's junior men's hockey team clinched a record-extending sixth Junior Hockey Asia Cup title on Sunday, 13 September 2026, demolishing South Korea 4-1 in the final at the Moqi Training Base in Moqi, China. The victory also secured India's berth at the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup.
Dominant Final Performance
Ajeet Yadav set the tone with a ninth-minute opener, and Anmol Ekka doubled the advantage with a strike in the 13th minute, sending India into the first-quarter break at 2-0. Prabhdeep Singh extended the lead further in the 21st minute, leaving South Korea trailing 3-0 at half-time. Ashu Maurya then made it 4-0 in the 50th minute, effectively closing out the contest with ten minutes to spare. South Korea's sole consolation came from Lee Minhyeok in the 54th minute, but the lone strike could not alter the outcome as India sealed a comprehensive 4-1 victory.
Historic Fourth Consecutive Title
This triumph marks the fourth successive Junior Hockey Asia Cup title for India, breaking a previous record of three consecutive titles that the side had shared with Pakistan. India had won the 2015, 2023, and 2024 editions before adding this latest championship. Notably, the win also cements India's standing as the most successful team in the history of the continental event with six titles overall — well ahead of Pakistan, who are second with three titles won between 1988 and 1996. South Korea won the tournament once in 2000, and Malaysia claimed the title once in 2012.
Women's Team Also Triumph
In a remarkable double for Indian hockey at Moqi, the junior women's team also lifted silverware on the same occasion, defeating China 1-0 in the Women's Junior Hockey Asia Cup final. This was India's third consecutive women's title, placing them level with China and South Korea as the most decorated sides in the women's competition.
Road to the World Cup
The Junior Hockey Asia Cup doubles as a qualifier for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup, meaning India's men's team has now booked their place at the global showpiece. The back-to-back success of both junior squads signals the depth of India's hockey pipeline and the effectiveness of the national development programme. With the World Cup berth secured, attention now turns to preparations at the elite level.
Point of View
An area where India has historically struggled to convert youth promise into World Cup glory.
NationPress
13 Sept 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
How did India win the 2026 Junior Hockey Asia Cup final?
India defeated South Korea 4-1 in the final held on 13 September 2026 at the Moqi Training Base in China. Goals from Ajeet Yadav, Anmol Ekka, Prabhdeep Singh, and Ashu Maurya gave India a commanding 4-0 lead before Lee Minhyeok pulled one back for South Korea.
How many Junior Hockey Asia Cup titles has India won?
India have won the Junior Hockey Asia Cup six times, making them the most successful nation in the tournament's history. Their titles include the 2015, 2023, 2024, and 2026 editions, giving them four consecutive championships.
Did India qualify for the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup?
Yes. By winning the 2026 Junior Hockey Asia Cup, India's junior men's team secured their berth at the FIH Junior Hockey World Cup, as the continental championship serves as a qualifier.
What did India's junior women's team achieve at the same tournament?
India's junior women's team won the Women's Junior Hockey Asia Cup by defeating China 1-0 in the final. It was their third consecutive women's title, placing India level with China and South Korea as the most successful sides in the women's competition.
Which teams are the most successful in Junior Hockey Asia Cup history?
India lead with six titles, followed by Pakistan with three (won between 1988 and 1996). South Korea won once in 2000 and Malaysia once in 2012. India's 2026 win extended their record tally and their run of consecutive championships to four.
