India favourites in Asia Cup U18 hockey semis, says Pakistan official
Synopsis
A Pakistan team official has openly tipped India as favourites ahead of their Asia Cup Under-18 hockey semifinal in Japan — citing a resource gap so wide that India train with 150 Kookaburra balls while Pakistan have just 12. With India winning 7 of the last 8 junior encounters, the admission is as candid as it is telling.
Key Takeaways
India and Pakistan meet in the Asia Cup Under-18 hockey semifinal on 5 June in Kakamigahara, Japan .
A Pakistan team official admitted India are favourites, citing superior preparation including tours of Australia and Europe .
India train with 150 Kookaburra balls ; Pakistan reportedly have just 12 , with the rest described as inferior quality.
India have won 7 of the last 8 junior-level matches against Pakistan, with one draw .
Pakistan's last junior victory over India was at Johar Baro in 2016 .
The final and third-place playoff are scheduled for 6 June ; defending champions Japan face Malaysia in the other semifinal.
India enter the Asia Cup Under-18 hockey semifinal against Pakistan on Friday, 6 June as firm favourites, according to a Pakistan team official who cited India's superior preparation, facilities, and international exposure as decisive advantages. The high-stakes clash is scheduled at Kakamigahara, Japan, as part of the Asia Cup Under-18 tournament.
What the Pakistan Official Said
A Pakistan hockey team official, speaking on condition of anonymity, told a sports outlet that the gap in resources between the two squads is stark. 'India's preparations for the tournament were extensive as they played five matches with Australian juniors and then toured Europe, while we have 12 players who are on a tour for the first time and have not played at the international level,' the official said.
The resource disparity extended to training equipment. 'The Indian team practices with 150 Kookaburra balls, while we have just 12, and the rest are of inferior quality. Their hockey sticks are also superior,' the official noted. Despite the contrast, the official insisted Pakistan's players would be driven by passion. 'Come what may, we will try our best, and when the opponents are India, the level of passion in Pakistan players is different,' the official added.
How Both Teams Reached the Semis
India dominated Group A, recording a commanding 13-0 victory over Kazakhstan and a 4-1 win against South Korea. Pakistan secured their semifinal berth with a 5-2 victory in their final group match on Wednesday. In the other semifinal, hosts and defending champions Japan — who beat India 4-2 in the group stage — take on Malaysia.
India's Historical Edge Over Pakistan at Junior Level
The rivalry at junior level has been heavily tilted in India's favour. India have won seven of the last eight meetings against Pakistan at the junior level, with one draw. Pakistan's last junior-level victory over India came at Johar Baro in 2016 — nearly a decade ago. This context makes the Pakistan official's candid assessment all the more notable, reflecting a genuine acknowledgement of the gap rather than pre-match posturing.
Schedule and What's Next
The India vs Pakistan semifinal is scheduled for 5 June, with the final and third-place playoff both to follow on 6 June in Kakamigahara. A win for India would set up a potential final against Japan, the defending champions, on home soil — a fixture that would carry considerable weight for both nations' junior programmes.
Point of View
But this Pakistan official's remarks are less a diplomatic gesture and more a structural indictment. The training resource gap — 150 balls versus 12 — is not a coaching problem; it is a funding and governance failure that Pakistan hockey has struggled to address for years. India's junior programme, built on consistent international exposure and professional-grade infrastructure, is producing results that the scoreline reflects. The more urgent question for Pakistan is not whether they can beat India on Friday, but whether their hockey federation can close this gap before the next generation of juniors inherits the same disadvantage.
NationPress
10 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
When and where is the India vs Pakistan Asia Cup U18 hockey semifinal?
The semifinal is scheduled for 5 June at Kakamigahara, Japan, as part of the Asia Cup Under-18 hockey tournament. The final and third-place playoff follow on 6 June.
Why has a Pakistan official called India favourites?
A Pakistan team official, speaking anonymously, cited India's extensive pre-tournament preparation — including matches against Australian juniors and a Europe tour — and a significant equipment advantage, including 150 Kookaburra training balls compared to Pakistan's 12.
What is India's head-to-head record against Pakistan in junior hockey?
India have won seven of the last eight junior-level matches against Pakistan, with one draw. Pakistan's last junior victory over India came at Johar Baro in 2016.
How did India and Pakistan qualify for the semifinals?
India topped Group A with a 13-0 win over Kazakhstan and a 4-1 victory over South Korea. Pakistan secured their place in the last four with a 5-2 win in their final group game on Wednesday.
Who are the defending champions and who do they face in the other semifinal?
Japan are the defending champions and hosts. They face Malaysia in the other semifinal, having also beaten India 4-2 in the group stage.
