India Thrash Chinese Taipei 13-1 to Storm into Men's U18 Asia Cup Semifinals

India's U18 men's hockey team produced its most dominant performance of the tournament, thrashing Chinese Taipei 13-1 to book a place in the semifinals of the U18 Asia Cup 2026 in Kakamigahara, Japan, on Wednesday.

The emphatic victory capped a strong pool-stage campaign for India, who finished with nine points from four matches after victories over Kazakhstan, Korea and Chinese Taipei. Their only defeat came against hosts Japan, but the commanding win in their final group game ensured they advanced to the knockout stage with significant momentum.

India's attacking strength was on full display as seven different players found the scoresheet. Ashish Tani Purti emerged as the standout performer with a superb hat-trick, while Gazee Khan, Siddharth Ben and Rahul Yadav each scored twice. Karan Gautam, Premchand Soy, captain Ketan Kushwaha and Varinder Singh also added their names to the scoresheet in a one-sided contest.

From the opening whistle, India dictated proceedings with aggressive attacking hockey and quick ball movement. The pressure paid off in the seventh minute when Karan Gautam converted India's first penalty corner of the match to open the scoring.

Chinese Taipei struggled to contain India's pace and attacking combinations. Just four minutes later, Premchand Soy doubled the lead with a field goal before skipper Ketan Kushwaha made it 3-0 in the 13th minute. By the end of the opening quarter, India had complete control of the contest. The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Rahul Yadav extended India's advantage in the 20th minute with a well-taken goal before Ashish Tani Purti got on the scoresheet in the 27th minute by converting a penalty corner.

India continued to create opportunities at will, and Siddharth Ben added a sixth goal right at the stroke of halftime. Chinese Taipei managed a consolation before the break when Yong-Jyun Jhang converted a penalty corner deep into stoppage time, reducing the deficit to 6-1.

Despite conceding, India remained firmly in command and resumed the second half with the same attacking intent. Purti struck again in the 35th minute, converting another penalty corner to make it 7-1. The floodgates then opened as Gazee Khan joined the scoring in the 40th minute with a successful set-piece conversion.

Two minutes later, Purti completed his hat-trick with yet another penalty-corner goal, underlining India's efficiency from set-piece situations. Khan followed up with his second goal of the evening in the 44th minute as India entered the final quarter with a massive 10-1 advantage.

The final quarter offered no respite for Chinese Taipei.

Varinder Singh converted another penalty corner in the 50th minute before Siddharth Ben scored his second goal of the match two minutes later. Rahul Yadav then completed the rout in the 54th minute, netting his second goal and India's 13th of the evening.

https://www.indiasportshub.com/articles/india-thrash-singapore-25-0-storm-into-u18-asia-cup-semi-finals-as-pool-a-winners

The performance highlighted India's attacking depth as well as their dominance from penalty corners. Several goals came from well-executed set-piece routines, an area that could prove crucial in the knockout rounds.

For Ashish Tani Purti, the match was particularly memorable. His hat-trick showcased his sharp finishing and ability to capitalize on penalty-corner opportunities. Equally impressive were the contributions of Gazee Khan, Siddharth Ben and Rahul Yadav, all of whom scored braces to keep the pressure on the opposition throughout the contest. The result also demonstrated India's ability to bounce back strongly after their defeat to Japan earlier in the tournament. 

Victories against Kazakhstan, Korea and Chinese Taipei ensured they finished the pool stage on a positive note and reinforced their credentials as one of the strongest teams in the competition.

With 13 goals scored in a single match, India sent a strong message to the remaining teams ahead of the semifinals. Their combination of attacking flair, clinical finishing and penalty-corner efficiency makes them a formidable contender for the title.

India will now turn their attention to the semifinals, scheduled for Friday, June 5. Their opponents will be confirmed after the conclusion of the final Pool A fixture between Japan and Kazakhstan.

Having scored 13 goals and produced one of the most dominant displays of the tournament, India will head into the knockout stage full of confidence as they continue their quest for continental glory.