India reached the final of the U18 Hockey Asia Cup 2026 on Friday after recording a 5-3 victory against Pakistan in the second semi-final at the Kawasaki Heavy Industries Hockey Stadium.
Both teams began the eliminatory clash with high intensity and attacking intent, producing a fast-paced first quarter.
India were awarded a penalty after a Pakistan review failed to overturn the on-field decision. Purti Ashish Tani made no mistake from the penalty spot in the 12th minute to give the Blue Shirts an early lead.
Pakistan responded strongly in the second quarter, creating multiple penalty corner opportunities but failing to convert any of the opportunities.
However, Adeel had a moment of quality in the 27th minute, finishing clinically to bring the Green Shirts back to a 1-1 draw at half-time.
In the third quarter, India moved forward with greater urgency, while Pakistan remained disciplined and looked dangerous on the counterattack.
India regained the lead in the 35th minute thanks to Ali Shahrukh, who made it 2-1. Pakistan responded almost immediately, and Muhammad Farhan Aslam found the net in the 37th minute to restore parity at 2-2.
Pakistan then took the lead in the 42nd minute when Uzair Ahmed converted a penalty corner to put the Green Shirts up 3-2 heading into the final quarter.
The latter period, however, belonged to India. Purti Ashish Tani leveled the match once again in the 38th minute with a penalty corner before completing his hat-trick in the 53rd minute to put India ahead 4-3.
He later added a fourth goal in the dying minutes as India took full control of the match and sealed a 5-3 victory.
India will face Japan in the grand final at the same venue on Saturday.
