Gold for India! Men’s U-18 team beat Japan to lift Asia Cup; Ashish Purti scored a hat-trick

Photo credit: X/@TheHockeyIndia Ashish Purti scored a hat-trick as India beat hosts Japan 4-1 in the final on Friday to win the Men’s Under-18 Asia Cup title.Purti found the net in the 2nd, 28th and 34th minutes while captain Ketan Kushwaha scored in the 30th minute as India took control of the match. Japan’s only goal was scored by Numada Gaku in the 52nd minute.After the victory, Hockey India announced a prize money of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the winning team and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.Hockey India also announced Rs 1 lakh for each player of India’s U-18 women’s team, which won the bronze medal earlier in the day, and Rs 50,000 for each member of the support staff.India started quickly, winning a penalty corner within the opening 90 seconds. Purti converted the chance to give India a 1-0 lead.Japan tried to respond, entering the Indian circle four times in the first quarter, but the Indian defense stood firm as the visitors remained in front at the end of the opening period.

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The home team continued to press in the second quarter and earned the first penalty corner of the match, but they could not find an equaliser.India then struck again in the 28th minute as Purti converted another penalty corner to make it 2-0.Soon after, Prahalad Rajbhar won possession in the danger area and set up Kushwaha who scored to make India 3-0 before half-time.India added a fourth goal in the third quarter. Varinder Singh’s run earned another penalty corner and Purti completed his hat-trick in the 34th minute to put India 4-0 up.Japan got on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute when Numada Gaku converted a penalty to make it 4-1.The home team earned three more penalty corners in the closing stages but failed to break through the Indian defense again.Purti was named player of the match. He also finished as the tournament’s top scorer with 13 goals.