India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026: India Win 7-3
India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026: India Secure Vital Win
The India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026 clash delivered an intense contest before India pulled away in the final quarter to register a 7-3 victory in Moqi, China.
The defending champions were tested throughout the first three quarters, with South Korea repeatedly responding whenever India moved ahead. The score was level at 3-3 in the third quarter before India found another gear and scored three goals in a decisive late spell.
The victory took India to seven points from three Pool A matches, with two wins and one draw. India now sit at the top of the pool and are within touching distance of a semi-final place.
India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026 Starts With a Tight Contest
India made the better start and opened the scoring in the fifth minute through captain Anmol Ekka, who converted a penalty corner.
South Korea responded almost immediately. Dohyeon Choi scored from a penalty corner in the sixth minute to make it 1-1.
India regained the lead through Lovenoor Singh, who scored a field goal in the 18th minute. Again, South Korea had an answer, with Hyoguk Yoo converting a penalty corner within the next minute to level the match at 2-2.
India then restored their advantage in the 20th minute. Ajeet Yadav found the net to give India a 3-2 lead at half-time.
The closely fought opening half showed that India would have to work hard to break away from a determined Korean side.
India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026: Korea Fight Back Again
South Korea continued to challenge India after the interval.
Hyoguk Yoo struck again in the 36th minute, scoring his second goal of the match and bringing South Korea level for the third time at 3-3.
With the match heading towards the final quarter on level terms, India needed a response. That response came from Prabhdeep Singh, who scored in the 42nd minute to put India back in front at 4-3.
That goal proved crucial as India began to take control of the contest.
India Break the Game Open in the Final Quarter
India’s decisive spell came late in the match.
After South Korea had stayed within touching distance for three quarters, India produced a three-goal burst that effectively ended the contest.
Gursewak Singh extended India’s lead in the 55th minute. Just a minute later, Anmol Ekka scored his second goal of the match from a penalty corner to make it 6-3.
Aryan Xess completed India’s scoring in the 58th minute, giving the defending champions a commanding 7-3 victory.
The three-goal burst in the final stages was the difference between the two sides. India had been pushed hard for much of the match, but their finishing quality and increased intensity ultimately proved decisive.
Anmol Ekka Leads India’s Scoring Charge
Captain Anmol Ekka once again played a central role in India’s attacking performance.
The drag-flick specialist opened the scoring in the fifth minute and returned in the 56th minute to put India 6-3 ahead.
His brace took his tournament tally to eight goals, making him one of India’s most important attacking players in the competition.
India’s other scorers were Lovenoor Singh, Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Gursewak Singh and Aryan Xess.
The spread of goals across the forward and midfield units also highlighted India’s attacking depth as they continued their title defence.
India Move Closer to the Junior Asia Cup Semi-Finals
The 7-3 victory strengthened India’s position at the top of Pool A.
India now have seven points from three matches, having recorded two wins and one draw. South Korea remain on six points, while the other teams in the pool are still fighting for the remaining qualification positions.
For India, the equation is straightforward. The defending champions face Chinese Taipei in their final Pool A match on September 9, and a victory will guarantee their place in the semi-finals.
The result against South Korea therefore provides India with both momentum and a strong position heading into their final pool fixture.
India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026: What Comes Next
India will now turn their attention to Chinese Taipei.
The final Pool A match gives the defending champions an opportunity to secure their semi-final berth and maintain their challenge for another Junior Asia Cup title.
The victory over South Korea also demonstrated India’s ability to respond under pressure. After being pegged back to 3-3, India did not allow the match to slip away. Instead, they raised the intensity, scored four more goals and closed out a convincing 7-3 win.
With Anmol Ekka continuing to lead the scoring charts and India sitting on seven points, the defending champions have put themselves in a strong position as the tournament moves towards its decisive stage.
The India vs South Korea Junior Asia Cup 2026 encounter may have been closely fought for much of the evening, but India’s late attacking surge ultimately made the difference.
