Captain Ketan Kushwaha, Varinder Singh, and Shahrukh Ali each scored a goal as the Indian U-18 Men’s Hockey Team triumphed 4-1 over Korea in their third Pool A match at the U-18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan. Kushwaha netted goals in the 3rd and 36th minutes, while Varinder Singh and Shahrukh Ali scored in the 5th and 54th minutes, respectively. Korean captain Yun Jaehyeok scored Korea’s lone goal in the 21st minute.
India started strongly in the first quarter, securing an early two-goal lead. They converted a penalty corner in the third minute, with Kushwaha finding the net after his initial shot was saved. Varinder Singh extended the lead in the fifth minute with a calm finish. Korea managed to reduce the deficit with a penalty corner goal by Jaehyeok in the 21st minute.
The second quarter witnessed intense action from both teams, but neither side created clear chances in the circle. India extended their lead in the third quarter with another penalty corner goal by Kushwaha in the 36th minute. Despite both teams earning penalty corners towards the end of the quarter, no further goals were scored.
In the 53rd minute, Korea came close to scoring, but Indian goalkeeper Ayush Rajak made a crucial save. India responded immediately, with Shahrukh Ali scoring a powerful shot in the 54th minute to secure India’s victory. The win leveled India with Korea and Japan at six points each in the standings, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the semi-finals.
India’s next match is against Chinese Taipei on June 3 at 1:30 PM IST in their final Pool A encounter.
