India Beat Malaysia 3-1 to Reach Fourth Straight Junior Asia Cup Final
India Beat Malaysia 3-1 in Junior Asia Cup Semifinal
India beat Malaysia 3-1 in the first semifinal of the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026 in Moqi, China, on Friday, September 11. The defending champions produced a composed performance under pressure to secure a place in their fourth consecutive final.
Captain and drag-flick specialist Anmol Ekka once again played a decisive role, scoring two goals from penalty corners. His brace took his tournament tally to 16 goals, keeping him at the top of the scoring charts. Goalkeeper Vivek Lakra was equally important, making several crucial saves to prevent Malaysia from taking control of the contest.
India will now face the winner of the second semifinal between Pakistan and South Korea in the title clash.
India Beat Malaysia After a Goalless First Quarter
India started aggressively and created opportunities from the opening minutes. Ajeet Yadav came close twice inside the first two minutes, while India earned three early penalty corners. However, Malaysian goalkeeper Amsyar Mohamad Adib kept his side in the contest with important saves.
Malaysia gradually tried to build attacks but struggled to maintain possession during the opening stages. Their first significant attacking move came in the 11th minute, but India’s defence dealt with the threat before Malaysia could create a clear scoring opportunity.
The first quarter ended without either side finding the net, with India holding the territorial advantage but Malaysia keeping the score level.
India Beat Malaysia as Anmol Ekka Opens the Scoring
India finally broke the deadlock in the 16th minute after earning their fourth penalty corner. Anmol Ekka stepped up and produced a powerful low drag-flick that beat Amsyar to give India a 1-0 lead.
Malaysia immediately looked for a response and forced a strong save from Vivek Lakra in the 17th minute. The Malaysian side also earned its first penalty corner, but India’s defensive unit successfully blocked the attempt.
India continued to create chances before half-time, but Malaysia managed to prevent a second goal. The defending champions went into the interval with a narrow 1-0 advantage.
India Beat Malaysia Despite Pressure in the Third Quarter
The third quarter brought sustained pressure from Malaysia. Vivek Lakra produced one of the key moments of the semifinal in the 34th minute when he made a double save before stopping another attempt moments later.
India also had to manage periods with fewer players. Manmeet Singh Rai received a yellow card in the 36th minute, while Prabhdeep Singh was shown a yellow card in the 41st minute. Malaysia used the numerical advantage to increase pressure and earned penalty corners, but India’s defence remained organised.
Despite Malaysia’s attempts to find an equaliser, the score stayed 1-0 after three quarters.
India Beat Malaysia With Two More Goals in the Final Quarter
India created more breathing room in the fourth quarter. In the 51st minute, Sukhvinder finished an attacking move to double India’s advantage and make it 2-0.
Malaysia then received a major opportunity when they were awarded a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute. Lakra responded with an excellent diving save to his left, denying Malaysia a potential comeback.
India immediately turned defence into attack and earned another penalty corner in the 54th minute. Malaysia challenged the decision through a video referral, but the referral was unsuccessful. Anmol Ekka then converted the penalty corner with another powerful flick to make it 3-0.
Malaysia continued to press during the closing stages and Lakra made another important save in the 58th minute. The Malaysian side finally scored through M Rahuul with just 24 seconds remaining, but India had already done enough to secure the 3-1 victory.
India Beat Malaysia to Reach Fourth Consecutive Final
The victory keeps India’s title defence firmly on track. The defending champions are now one win away from claiming a fourth consecutive Junior Asia Cup title and a sixth overall continental crown.
Anmol Ekka’s continued scoring form has been one of the major highlights of India’s campaign. His two goals against Malaysia took his tournament tally to 16, while Lakra’s performance under pressure provided the defensive foundation for the semifinal victory.
India will now await the result of the second semifinal between Pakistan and South Korea. The defending champions will return for the final with another opportunity to extend their dominance in the Junior Asia Cup.
