India women thrash Kazakhstan 10-0, men beat Bangladesh 8-3 at FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian C'ship
Synopsis
India's sub-junior women and men hockey teams are rolling at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat — the women hammered Kazakhstan 10-0 with Nousheen Naz netting four and Sandeepa Kumari claiming a hat-trick, while the men edged past Bangladesh 8-3. With the tournament also serving as the Asian qualifier for the inaugural Hockey5s World Cup, India's unbeaten run couldn't be better timed.
Key Takeaways
India sub-junior women's team beat Kazakhstan 10-0 on 23 July at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat .
Nousheen Naz scored 4 goals ; Sandeepa Kumari claimed a hat-trick and was named 'Player of the Match' .
India sub-junior men's team defeated Bangladesh 8-3 ; captain Ketan Kushwaha scored 4 goals and won 'Player of the Match' .
Both teams remain unbeaten across two matches in their respective Elite Pools .
The tournament is the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup .
Next up: women face China and Uzbekistan ; men face Oman and Pakistan on 24 July .
India's sub-junior women's and men's hockey teams extended their unbeaten runs at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman, on Thursday, 24 July, delivering commanding victories that reinforced their status as frontrunners in the Elite Pools. The women's side demolished Kazakhstan 10-0, while the men's team overcame Bangladesh 8-3.
Women's Demolition of Kazakhstan
Nousheen Naz set the tone by netting twice inside the opening minute, giving India an early 2-0 cushion. The first half closed with that scoreline intact, but the second half turned into a showcase of clinical finishing. Sandeepa Kumari, named 'Player of the Match', completed a hat-trick with goals in the 11th, 16th, and 18th minutes. Nousheen went one better, finishing with a four-goal haul — striking in the 1st, 1st, 15th, and 20th minutes. Kiran Ekka (15'), Nilam Topno (17'), and Pushpa Manjhi (19') rounded off the rout to seal a dominant 10-0 result.
Notably, this is India's second successive heavy win over Kazakhstan in the tournament — the women's team had also beaten the same opposition 8-3 in their tournament opener.
Men's Comeback Against Bangladesh
The men's contest was far tighter in the first half. Shahrukh Ali (3') and captain Ketan Kushwaha (4', 8') gave India a 3-2 lead at the break, with Md Hosen (6') and Sohorab Soton (8') keeping Bangladesh competitive. India shifted gears decisively in the second half. Soton (11') briefly narrowed the gap, but Kushwaha — named 'Player of the Match' — added two more goals in the 12th and 15th minutes. Romit Pal (13'), Prahalad Rajbhar (14'), and Rahul Yadav (18') also found the net as India pulled away to win 8-3.
This mirrors the men's opening-match result — a 7-3 win over Bangladesh — though the margin this time was wider, signalling growing momentum.
Tournament Context and What Is at Stake
The FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 doubles as the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, raising the stakes considerably for every match. Both Indian teams are placed in the Elite Pools, which house the strongest contenders in their respective draws.
With two wins from two games, India's sub-junior squads are firmly on track for a top finish — and a potential World Cup berth.
What Is Next for Both Teams
On 24 July, the women's team will face China and Uzbekistan, two tests that will reveal how deep India's bench strength runs. The men's side faces a sterner challenge, taking on hosts Oman and arch-rivals Pakistan — a fixture that will draw considerable attention given the intensity of India-Pakistan sporting contests.
Point of View
But the patterns matter. India's women have now scored 18 goals and conceded 3 across two games against the same opponent — a sign of structural dominance rather than a one-off performance. The men's improvement from a 7-3 opening win to an 8-3 result, with a tighter first half this time, suggests tactical adaptability rather than cruise control. The real test arrives on 24 July: the women face China, and the men face Pakistan — two matches that will determine whether this unbeaten run reflects genuine Asian-level quality or pool-stage arithmetic. With a World Cup berth on the line, the next 24 hours are the tournament's defining window for India.
NationPress
24 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What were India's results at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 on 23 July?
India's sub-junior women's team beat Kazakhstan 10-0 and the men's team defeated Bangladesh 8-3 on 23 July at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman. Both teams remain unbeaten in their Elite Pools.
Who were the top scorers for India in the women's match against Kazakhstan?
Nousheen Naz top-scored with 4 goals, while Sandeepa Kumari — named 'Player of the Match' — scored a hat-trick. Kiran Ekka, Nilam Topno, and Pushpa Manjhi also got on the scoresheet.
Who was the standout performer in the men's match against Bangladesh?
Captain Ketan Kushwaha was named 'Player of the Match' after scoring 4 goals across both halves. Shahrukh Ali, Romit Pal, Prahalad Rajbhar, and Rahul Yadav also scored for India.
What is at stake at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026?
The tournament serves as the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup, making every match critical for teams seeking a World Cup berth.
Who do India's teams play next at the championship?
On 24 July, the women's team faces China and Uzbekistan, while the men's team takes on hosts Oman and Pakistan in what is expected to be the most competitive fixture of the pool stage.
