The Indian team delivered an incredible performance in the semi-final of the U18 Men’s Asian Cup 2026 ahainst their arch rivals Pakistan by a margin of 5-3 to qualify for the final.
In a match filled with intense drama, India trailed heading into the final quarter but unleashed a powerful attacking display in the closing minutes to secure their spot in the summit clash. Star forward Ashish Tani Purti was the undeniable hero of the match, scoring four stunning goals to lead his team to victory.
How The Match Unfolded
The game began with both teams playing cautiously, battling hard for control in the midfield. India was the first to strike in the 12th minute when a brilliant run forced a mistake from the Pakistani defense, resulting in a penalty stroke. Ashish Tani Purti stepped up and calmly found the back of the net, giving India an early advantage that they held until the end of the first quarter.
As the second quarter got underway, noticeably increased their aggression. They kept applying pressure and eventually broke through in the 27th minute. Adeel intercepted a pass, raced past the defense, and scored a field goal to tie the game just before the halftime whistle.
The third quarter brought fast-paced, edge-of-the-seat action. India briefly reclaimed the lead when Shahrukh Ali scored a beautiful field goal in the 35th minute following a The celebration was short-lived, as Pakistan responded almost immediately with a field goal by Muhammad Farhan Aslam to level the score once again. Just minutes later, Pakistan took their first lead of the match when Uzair Ahmad Qureshi successfully converted a penalty corner, leaving India trailing 2-3 at the end of the third quarter.
In the final quarter, India launched a furious, all-out attack in the final fifteen minutes. A penalty card for Pakistan left them a man down, and India immediately capitalized by winning consecutive penalty corners. Ashish Tani Purti took charge, firing home a brilliant dragflick in the 49th minute to tie the game at three all. He then completely took over the match, scoring two more spectacular penalty corner goals in the 53rd and 56th minutes to complete a remarkable four-goal performance.
The Indian defense remained rock solid in the dying minutes of the game, perfectly protecting their two-goal cushion to seal the incredible victory.
Looking Ahead To The Final
Riding the momentum of this spectacular comeback, India will now face Japan in the grand finale of the U18 Men’s Asia Cup. This game is scheduled to take place tomorrow, June 6, at 3:30 PM IST.