Moqi, September 9, 2026 (Yes Punjab News)
India strengthened their position at the top of Pool A of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 with a commanding 7-3 win over South Korea on Tuesday, moving within touching distance of a place in the semi-finals.
The victory took India’s tally to seven points from three matches, with two wins and a draw. South Korea remain second with six points but face a challenging final pool match against Japan.
Japan, currently on four points, will take on Indonesia later on Tuesday and remain in contention for a semi-final spot.
India will play Chinese Taipei in their final Pool A match on Wednesday, knowing that a victory will guarantee their place in the last four.
The defending champions were tested for much of the contest as South Korea matched them goal for goal through the first three quarters. India, however, raised the intensity towards the end of the third quarter before producing a decisive three-goal burst in the final 15 minutes.
Captain and star drag-flicker Anmol Ekka once again led India’s scoring effort, finding the net twice to take his tournament tally to eight goals.
India made a bright start and took the lead in the fifth minute when Anmol converted a penalty corner. South Korea responded within a minute as Dohyeon Choi scored from a penalty corner to make it 1-1.
The second quarter followed a similar pattern. Lovenoor Singh restored India’s lead with a field goal in the 18th minute, but South Korea hit back almost immediately through Hyoguk Yoo, who converted a penalty corner to level the score at 2-2.
India regained the advantage in the 20th minute when Ajeet Yadav struck to give the defending champions a 3-2 lead at half-time.
South Korea continued to put pressure on the Indian defence after the restart, with Yoo again finding the target six minutes into the third quarter to score his second goal and bring his side level at 3-3.
India responded in the 42nd minute when Prabhdeep Singh broke the deadlock and restored their lead at 4-3, giving the defending champions momentum heading into the final quarter.
South Korea continued to attack in the opening stages of the fourth quarter, but India eventually took complete control with three goals in a remarkable three-minute spell.
Gursewak Singh extended India’s lead in the 55th minute before Anmol converted another penalty corner a minute later to make it 6-3.
Aryan Xess then completed the scoring in the 58th minute as India’s sustained pressure produced a seventh goal and sealed a convincing 7-3 victory.
The result leaves India firmly in control of their semi-final qualification prospects ahead of their final Pool A fixture against Chinese Taipei.
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