Hockey 5s Asian Championship: Another brilliant consecutive win for the Indian teams
Muscat: At the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 currently underway in Muscat, Oman, the Indian sub-junior women’s and men’s teams secured big wins on Thursday, maintaining their unbeaten run in their respective Elite Pools. The women’s team recorded a resounding 10-0 victory over Kazakhstan, while the men’s team defeated Bangladesh 8-3.
The Indian women’s team got off to a flying start; Naushin Naz scored two goals in the very first minute, and the team led 2-0 at half-time. They further cemented their dominance by scoring six goals in the second half.
‘Player of the Match’ Sandeep Kumari (11′, 16′, 18′) scored a hat-trick, while Naushin put in an even better performance by scoring four goals (1′, 1′, 15′, 20′). Kiran Ekka (15′), Neelam Topno (17′), and Pushpa Manjhi (19′) sealed the victory.
For the men’s team, the first half against Bangladesh was a closely contested affair; India led 3-2 thanks to goals from captain and ‘Player of the Match’ Ketan Kushwaha (4′, 8′) and Shahrukh Ali (3′). Goals from Mohammad Hosen (6′) and Sohrab Soton (8′) kept Bangladesh within striking distance of India.
India extended their lead in the second half with two more goals from Kushwaha (12′, 15′) and one each from Romit Pal (13′), Prahlad Rajbhar (14′), and Rahul Yadav (18′). Bangladesh could manage only one more goal, with Soton (11′) completing his brace.
The women’s team will now play against China and Uzbekistan, while the men’s team will face Oman and Pakistan on July 24.
This tournament also serves as the Asian qualifier for the inaugural FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup. Earlier on Monday, the Indian men’s and women’s teams kicked off their respective campaigns with victories at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship 2026 in Muscat, Oman.
The Indian teams have been placed in the Elite Pool of both the men’s and women’s competitions. On the opening day of the tournament, the Indian women’s team was the first to begin its campaign, securing an 8-3 win against Kazakhstan. Subsequently, the men’s team faced Bangladesh and recorded a 7-3 victory.
