Anmol Ekka Scores Six as India Hammer Chinese Taipei 15-0 to Storm into AHF Junior Asia Cup Semi-Finals

India saved their biggest statement for the end of the pool stage.

The defending champions turned a frustrating opening quarter into an extraordinary goal-scoring exhibition, demolishing Chinese Taipei 15-0 to march into the semi-finals of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, on Wednesday.

At the heart of India's spectacular turnaround was captain Anmol Ekka. The defender produced a remarkable individual display, scoring six goals all from penalty corners as India completely overwhelmed Chinese Taipei after the opening 15 minutes. The five-time champions finish Pool A at the summit with 10 points from four matches, having recorded three wins and one draw. South Korea claimed the second semi-final spot from the pool after defeating Japan 3-2 to finish on nine points.

For India, though, the final scoreline was more than just a victory. It was a warning to the rest of the competition.

India entered their final pool match knowing that a strong result would secure their passage into the knockout stages. Yet the opening quarter produced little indication of what was to follow. The defending champions controlled possession and spent considerable time in the Chinese Taipei half, but the opposition defence repeatedly held its shape. The breakthrough simply would not come.

With the score still 0-0 at the first quarter break, India's coaching staff had a clear message for the players: increase the intensity.

Coach Frederic Soyez's two-minute intervention worked almost instantly. India emerged for the second quarter with a completely different level of urgency, and Chinese Taipei suddenly found themselves under relentless pressure.

Six Goals in 15 Minutes

Aryan Xess finally broke the deadlock in the 17th minute. Just 60 seconds later, Prabhdeep Singh doubled India's advantage. Gursewak Singh then made it 3-0 in the 22nd minute as India scored three times in a breathtaking five-minute spell. Chinese Taipei were struggling to cope, and India's penalty-corner machine was about to take over. Anmol Ekka converted his first set-piece in the 25th minute to make it 4-0. Arjun Santosh Hargude added another three minutes later before Anmol struck again almost immediately.

By half-time, India had transformed a goalless opening quarter into a 6-0 lead. And the captain was only getting started.

The third quarter belonged almost entirely to Anmol. India earned two penalty corners within the opening three minutes after the restart, and the captain converted both. His hat-trick was complete, but he had no intention of stopping there. Anmol added another penalty-corner goal to take his tally to four, while Ajeet Yadav joined the scoring in the 35th minute with a composed field-goal finish.

India had now moved firmly beyond Chinese Taipei's reach, but the defending champions continued to attack with the same intensity. In the 45th minute, Anmol converted yet another penalty corner.

Five goals. India were now 10-0 ahead.

The sixth goal of the captain's extraordinary evening would have to wait until the final quarter.

Many teams would have slowed down with a 10-goal advantage. India did not. Harpal opened the scoring in the final quarter with a field goal in the 48th minute, before Anmol returned to complete his personal masterpiece. In the 51st minute, the Indian captain converted his sixth penalty corner of the match.

Six goals from six set pieces. Harpal scored again, while Aryan Xess added two more goals as India continued to rip through a tiring Chinese Taipei defence.

When the final whistle arrived, the scoreboard read 15-0. The defending champions had produced one of the most emphatic results of the tournament.

The victory took India to 10 points from three wins and a draw, enough to finish first in Pool A. South Korea secured second place after beating Japan 3-2 and finishing on nine points. Japan, Indonesia and Chinese Taipei now move into the classification matches after seeing their title hopes come to an end. For India, the focus immediately shifts to the semi-finals.

The biggest positive from the Chinese Taipei victory was not simply the margin of victory. It was the manner in which India responded after being held scoreless for the entire opening quarter.

They increased the tempo, generated penalty corners, attacked relentlessly and showed considerable depth across the team. And then there was Anmol Ekka. Six goals from penalty corners is an extraordinary return, particularly for a defender and captain. His performance has given India another major attacking weapon heading into the knockout stages. The defending champions now enter the semi-finals with momentum, confidence and a clear message to their remaining opponents: this Indian side is not here merely to defend its title.

After a quiet opening of 15 minutes, India exploded into life and Chinese Taipei had no answer.