Ashish Purti delivered a stellar hat-trick performance as India triumphed over hosts Japan 4-1 in the final on Friday to clinch the men's Under-18 Asia Cup title. The victory marked a dominant display by the Indian team, which controlled the game from start to finish.
Purti found the net in the 2nd, 28th, and 34th minutes, while captain Ketan Kushwaha added a goal in the 30th minute to give India a commanding lead. Numada Gaku scored Japan's solitary goal in the 52nd minute, but it was not enough to mount a comeback.
Following the triumph, Hockey India announced a cash reward of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the title-winning team and Rs 1.5 lakh for every member of the support staff. Additionally, the Indian women's U-18 team, which secured a bronze medal earlier in the day, received Rs 1 lakh per player and Rs 50,000 per support staff member.
India started aggressively, earning a penalty corner within the first 90 seconds. Purti converted the chance to give India a 1-0 lead. Japan responded by entering the Indian circle four times in the first quarter, but the Indian defense held firm to maintain the advantage.
The hosts continued to press in the second quarter and earned their first penalty corner of the match but failed to equalize. India then struck again in the 28th minute when Purti converted another penalty corner to make it 2-0. Shortly after, Prahalad Rajbhar won possession in a dangerous area and set up Kushwaha, who scored to extend the lead to 3-0 before halftime.
India added a fourth goal in the third quarter. Varinder Singh's run earned another penalty corner, and Purti completed his hat-trick in the 34th minute, putting India 4-0 ahead. Japan got on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute when Numada Gaku converted a penalty stroke to make it 4-1.
The hosts earned three more penalty corners in the final stages but could not break through the Indian defense again. Purti was named Player of the Match and also finished as the tournament's highest scorer with 13 goals.
