Rani Rampal on Hockey5s Asian silver: 'We came for gold, got something equally valuable'
Synopsis
India's U-18 women lost 2-4 to China in the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship final in Muscat, but coach Rani Rampal framed the silver as a lesson, not a loss — and the team leaves Oman with a World Cup qualification in hand. For a squad this young, the experience of a high-pressure final may matter more than the medal colour.
Key Takeaways
India finished runners-up at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman , losing 2-4 to China in the final.
Coach Rani Rampal said the final gave the young players 'something equally valuable' — pressure-match experience.
India secured qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup through their performance in Muscat.
Scorers for India: Nousheen Naz (13th minute) and Pushpa Manjhi (20th minute).
Hockey India announced ₹1 lakh per player and ₹50,000 per support staff member as a cash prize.
India sub-junior women's hockey team coach Rani Rampal reflected on the team's runners-up finish at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman, saying that while the squad had targeted gold, the final delivered the young players 'something equally valuable' — experience under championship pressure. The tournament concluded on Saturday with India going down 2-4 to China in the title match.
India's Path to the Final
The Indian U-18 women's hockey team put together an impressive campaign in Muscat, earning a silver medal and, crucially, securing qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. The World Cup berth marks a significant milestone for this young squad on the global stage.
How the Final Unfolded
China dominated the opening exchanges, with Tongtong Lu striking in the opening minute to draw first blood. Kexin Tang doubled the advantage in the 5th minute, and Jiaxin Guo made it 3-0 just a minute later. India regrouped after the interval, with Nousheen Naz pulling one back in the 13th minute to reduce the deficit to two goals.
However, Chen Ge restored China's three-goal cushion in the 19th minute. Pushpa Manjhi gave India a late consolation in the 20th minute, but China held firm to seal a 4-2 victory and claim the championship title.
What Rani Rampal Said
Sharing her thoughts on social media platform X, Rampal wrote: 'Proud of our U-18 team for winning at the Hockey 5s Asian Championship 2026 in Oman and qualifying for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey 5s World Cup. We came for gold, but this final gave our young players something equally valuable, experience under the pressure of a championship match. The mission remains the same: Keep learning. Keep improving. Keep putting India First.'
She added: 'Winning a medal for India is always an honour, but my standards have never been defined by medals alone. Discipline. Dedication. Honesty. Commitment. Team spirit. Humility. Work ethic. And always putting India first.'
Hockey India's Recognition
Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for each player of the Indian women's hockey team and ₹50,000 for each member of the support staff in recognition of their performance at the championship. The gesture underscores the governing body's commitment to nurturing the sub-junior pipeline ahead of the World Cup.
What's Next
With a World Cup qualification secured and a silver medal in the bag, the focus for Rampal and her charges now shifts to preparation for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. The experience of a high-pressure final against a dominant China side is expected to serve as a crucial learning block for the squad going forward.
Point of View
But Rani Rampal's framing cuts to the real story: India's sub-junior pipeline now has World Cup experience to look forward to, not just a silver medal to show. The more telling detail is Hockey India's cash incentive — ₹1 lakh per player is a meaningful signal that the federation is investing in the format at the grassroots level. Whether this momentum translates into a stronger World Cup showing will depend on how well the coaching staff converts this high-pressure final into structured learning. India's women's hockey programme has historically punched above its weight at junior level; keeping that pipeline intact through formats like Hockey5s is where the real long game lies.
NationPress
26 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What was India's result at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026?
India's U-18 women's hockey team finished as runners-up, losing 2-4 to China in the final held in Muscat, Oman. Despite the defeat, the team secured a silver medal and qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
Who scored for India in the Hockey5s Asian Championship final?
Nousheen Naz scored in the 13th minute and Pushpa Manjhi added a second in the 20th minute. China's goals came from Tongtong Lu, Kexin Tang, Jiaxin Guo, and Chen Ge.
Has India qualified for the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup?
Yes. India's performance at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat earned them qualification for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. It is a significant milestone for the young squad on the global stage.
What did coach Rani Rampal say about the silver medal finish?
Rani Rampal said the final gave the young players 'something equally valuable' to gold — experience under championship pressure. She added that her standards go beyond medals and include discipline, dedication, team spirit, and always putting India first.
What cash prize did Hockey India announce for the team?
Hockey India announced a cash prize of ₹1 lakh for each player of the Indian women's hockey team and ₹50,000 for each member of the support staff in recognition of their achievement at the championship.
