India booked their place in the final of the U-18 Asia Cup after a thrilling 5-3 victory over Pakistan in Kakamigahara, Japan, as the continental tournament runs from May 29 to June 6 under the Asian Hockey Federation.
India opened the scoring when Tani Ashish converted a penalty stroke to give his side the lead, but Pakistan responded through Adeel to level the match at 1-1 before half-time.
The second half saw quick swings in momentum as Shah Rukh restored India’s advantage in the 35th minute, only for Muhammad Farhan to equalise in the 37th minute. Pakistan then took a 3-2 lead in the 42nd minute when Uzair Ahmed found the net.
India produced a remarkable turnaround with Tani Ashish scoring three successive goals to complete a four-goal haul and secure a 5-3 win, sending the Indian side through to the U-18 Asia Cup final.
The Pakistan Hockey Federation President praised the national U-18 team for their determination and fighting spirit throughout the competition, noting that Pakistan had reached the semi-finals after a 5-2 quarter-final victory. He highlighted that the squad had been assembled only weeks before the tournament, giving the young players limited time to prepare and build cohesion.
Despite the semi-final exit, the federation emphasised the talent and resilience shown by many players making their first major international appearance, saying the experience will be invaluable for their development. The Pakistan U-18 team, supported by Alaska Battery and PTCL, left a positive impression on fans and officials, and the federation reiterated its commitment to backing the players as they build toward future success.
