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India captain and Odisha defender Anmol Ekka bagged the award as top scorer of the tournament with 17 goals to his name. He was also adjudged as the Player of the Final Match. As many as seven players from Odisha represented India in the Junior Asia Cup.
Other six were: Vivek Lakra, Rohit Kullu, Sanjit Tirkey, Adrohit Ekka, Aryan Xess and Ritik Lakra (alternate player). Vivek Lakra was also awarded as the best goalkeeper of the tournament. Earlier in the semifinals, India prevailed over Malaysia 3-1.
India qualified for the semifinals by emerging Pool-A toppers with 10 points from four matches. They won three and drew one. Anmol and his teammates beat Indonesia 14-0, drew with Japan 3-3, beat South Korea 7-3 and Chinese Taipei 15-0.
Hockey India announced Rs 3 lakh for each player and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff for title triumph. Mens Junior Asia Cup was first held in 1988. Indian Junior Men Team also has the credit of winning two silver (1996, 2000) and two bronze (1988, 2012) medals in Asia Cup.
INDIAN JUNIOR (U-21) MEN TEAM: Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia. Defenders: Anmol Ekka (Captain), Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Ashu Maurya, Sanjit Tirkey, Sukhvinder. Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Manmeet Singh Rai. Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Gursewak Singh, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh. Alternate Players: Arjun Santosh Hargude, Ritik Lakra. Coach: Frederic Soyez.
INDIA RESULTS:
5 September 2026 (Pool-A): India (Prabhdeep Singh 5-FG, 26-FG, 30-FG, 45-FG, 52-FG, Harpal 8-FG, Anmol Ekka 16-PC, 35-PC, 42-PC, 51-PC, Ajeet Yadav 20-FG, 53-FG, 53-FG, Ashu Maurya 59-PC) beat Indonesia 14-0. PoM: Prabhdeep Singh.
6 September 2026 (Pool-A): India (Amol Ekka 4-PS, 60-PC, Ashu Maurya 10-PC) drew with Japan (Ruishin Sasaki 11-PC, Kazuki Nakanishi 48-PC, 59-PC) 3-3. PoM: Anmol Ekka.
8 September 2026 (Pool-A): India (Amol Ekka 5-PC, 56-PC, Lovenoor Singh 18-FG, Ajeet Yadav 20-FG, Prabhdeep Singh 42-FG, Gursewak Singh 55-FG, Aryan Xess 58-FG) beat South Korea (Choi Dohyeon 6-PC, Hyoguk Yoo 19-PC, 36-FG) 7-3. PoM: Ajeet Yadav.
9 September 2026 (Pool-A): India (Aryan Xess 17-FG, 52-FG, 53-FG, Prabhdeep Singh 18-FG, Gursewak Singh 22-FG, Amol Ekka 25-PC, 29-PC, 32-PC, 33-PC, 45-PC, 51-PC, Arjun Hargude 28-FG, Ajeet Yadav 35-FG, Harpal 48-FG, 53-FG) beat Chinese Taipei 15-0. PoM: Manmeet Singh Rai (India).
11 September 2026 (Semifinal): India (Amol Ekka 16-PC, 54-PC, Sukhvinder 51-FG) beat Malaysia (M Rahuul 60-PC) 3-1. PoM: Vivek Lakra (India).
13 September 2026 (Final): India (Ajeet Yadav 9-PC, Anmol Ekka 13-PC, Prabhdeep Singh 21-FG, Ashu Maurya 50-PC) beat South Korea (Lee Minhyeok 54-PS) 4-1. PoM: Anmol Ekka.
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TOP: Odisha players (L-R) Rohit Kullu, Sanjit Tirkey, Adrohit Ekka, Anmol Lakra, Ritik Lakra, Aryan Xess and Vivek Lakra pose with their gold medals and trophy at the Mens Junior Asia Cup Hockey Tournament in Moqi, China on 13 September 2026.
RIGHT: India captain and Odisha defender Anmol Ekka poses with the Mens Junior Asia Cup trophies and gold medal in Moqi, China on 13 September 2026.
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