Indian Under-18 hockey teams ready for Asia Cup challenge
The Indian Under-18 men’s and women’s hockey teams have left for Japan to participate in the Under-18 Asia Cup 2026. Both teams completed intensive training camps and exposure matches against Australia ahead of the continental tournament beginning on May 29
Hyderabad: The Indian Under-18 men’s and women’s hockey teams have departed for Kakamigahara, Japan, to take part in the Under-18 Asia Cup 2026, scheduled to be held from May 29 to June 6.
The men’s team departed on Monday evening, while the women’s team left on Tuesday morning from Delhi.
Both teams enter the tournament after intensive national coaching camps, which included exposure matches against Australia, aiming to present a strong challenge against Asia’s best emerging hockey talent.
Month-long national camps for both the Under-18 men’s and women’s teams were conducted at the Udhav Das Mehta (Bhai Ji) Central Centre at SAI, Bhopal. While the men’s team coaching staff comprises Sardar Singh and Rajnish Mishra, the women’s team has Rani as its coach.
As part of their preparations, the Indian men’s and women’s teams played a high-profile four-match series each against the visiting Australian Under-18 teams in Bhopal as part of an exposure tour. The Indian men’s team registered one win and one loss, while two matches ended in draws. The Indian women’s team ended the series with a confidence-boosting win. The experience gave the teams valuable competitive exposure ahead of the continental challenge.
Forward Ketan Kushwaha will captain the Indian men’s Under-18 team at the Asia Cup, where they have been placed in Pool A. India will begin their pool-stage campaign against Kazakhstan on May 29, followed by matches against Japan on May 31, Korea on June 1 and Chinese Taipei on June 3. Pool B comprises Malaysia, Pakistan, Bangladesh and China.
The top two teams from Pools A and B will progress to the semi-finals scheduled for June 5, while the final will be played on June 6.
Speaking ahead of the team’s departure, India U-18 men’s team captain Ketan Kushwaha said: “Representing India at a major tournament like the Asia Cup is a huge honour and responsibility for all of us. We have worked hard during the camp in Bhopal and the matches against Australia gave us valuable learning experiences. The team has developed a strong understanding on and off the field, and we are excited to test ourselves against some of the best young teams in Asia. We are confident and will give our best in every match.”
The Indian U-18 women’s team’s training camp in Bhopal focused on building combinations, improving match fitness and sharpening tactical execution. The U-18 Asia Cup presents an important opportunity for the young Indian side, captained by Sweety Kujur, to test themselves against strong opposition from across the continent.
The women’s team has been drawn in Pool A and will open its campaign against Malaysia on May 30, before facing Korea on May 31. They will conclude their pool-stage fixtures against Singapore on June 2. The top two teams from each pool will qualify for the semi-finals to be played on June 5, followed by the final on June 6.
India Under-18 women’s captain Sweety Kujur expressed confidence about the team’s performance. “The entire team is excited and motivated ahead of the Asia Cup. We have spent several weeks preparing together and everyone has worked really hard during the camp. The matches against Australia helped us understand our strengths and areas where we need to improve, and finishing that series with a win gave us confidence. We know the competition at the Asia Cup will be tough, but we are looking forward to giving our best and making India proud,” she said.