Junior Asia Cup Opener saw India Thrash Indonesia 14-0

India began their Junior Asia Cup 2026 title defence in stunning fashion. The defending champions crushed Indonesia 14-0 in their opening Pool A match in Moqi, China, on Saturday.

From the start, India controlled the game. They dominated possession, territory and attacking opportunities.

As a result, the defending champions quickly moved to the top of Pool A on goal difference. zeppelin.cool

However, the biggest test of their campaign is already approaching. Japan await India in their second group match.

India vs Indonesia: A One-Sided Contest

India needed just five minutes to open the scoring.

Prabhdeep Singh found the net in the fifth minute. Just three minutes later, Harpal doubled India’s advantage.

Indonesia struggled to cope with India’s pace and movement. India continued to create chances and put pressure on the defence.

The defending champions ended the first quarter 2-0 ahead.

After that, the floodgates opened.

Captain Anmol Ekka converted a penalty stroke in the 16th minute. Four minutes later, Ajeet Yadav added another.

Prabhdeep then took over.

He scored in the 26th and 30th minutes to complete his hat-trick before half-time. India went into the break with a commanding 6-0 lead.

India Keep the Pressure On

There was no drop in intensity after the break.

Ekka continued to punish Indonesia from set pieces. He converted penalty corners in the 35th and 42nd minutes.

Prabhdeep then added another goal before the end of the third quarter. India entered the final 15 minutes with a 9-0 advantage.

The final quarter became even more difficult for Indonesia.

Ekka completed his four-goal performance in the 51st minute. Just a minute later, Prabhdeep scored again to take his tally to five.

Yadav then found the net twice in the 53rd minute. The goals completed his hat-trick.

Finally, Ashu Maurya converted another penalty corner in the 59th minute.

The result was emphatic.

India 14-0 Indonesia.

Prabhdeep Singh Leads India’s Goal Fest

The standout performer was Prabhdeep Singh.

The Indian forward scored five goals and earned the Player of the Match award. His performance immediately highlighted him as one of India’s biggest attacking threats.

Ekka was also crucial. The captain finished with four goals, including three from set pieces.

Yadav added a hat-trick, while Harpal and Ashu Maurya also got on the scoresheet.

India also showed impressive variety in attack.

The 14 goals came from nine field goals, four penalty-corner goals and one penalty stroke.

Therefore, India were not dependent on one style of play. They created danger from open play while also making the most of their set pieces.

What the 14-0 Win Tells Us

The biggest takeaway from the India vs Indonesia Junior Asia Cup 2026 clash was India’s attacking depth.

The defending champions constantly created opportunities. They used quick attacks, strong movement and sustained pressure to keep Indonesia on the back foot.

At the same time, their penalty-corner execution added another major threat.

Prabhdeep, Ekka and Yadav will receive most of the attention after the result. However, India’s ability to find goals from different areas of the pitch is perhaps even more encouraging.

For coach Frederic Soyez, the performance will also provide plenty of positives.

India used their preparation period in China to build combinations and adapt to the conditions. Before the tournament, they played a three-match series against China’s junior team.

India won their final practice match 8-2.

Now, their opening tournament performance suggests that the preparation is paying off.

India vs Japan: A Bigger Test Awaits

India cannot spend too long celebrating the 14-0 victory.

Their next challenge is Japan on September 6.

According to the official schedule, the two teams will meet in Moqi at 8:30 AM IST.

This match should provide a much stronger test of India’s title credentials.

Japan also made an impressive start. They defeated Chinese Taipei 7-0 in their opening match.

As a result, both India and Japan enter the contest with three points and strong goal differences.

India will therefore need to avoid complacency.

The Indonesia game showed what India can do when their forwards find space around the circle. Japan, however, are likely to provide a different tactical challenge.

India may need more patience in possession. They will also need to be sharper when chances arrive.

The Battle Inside the Circle

One of the biggest areas to watch will be India’s attacking efficiency.

Prabhdeep enters the game with huge confidence after scoring five times. Meanwhile, Ekka has already shown how dangerous he can be from penalty corners and penalty strokes.

Japan’s defence will need to limit India’s entries into the circle.

India, on the other hand, must maintain their attacking intensity without leaving gaps at the back.

The penalty-corner battle could also prove decisive.

India scored four times from penalty corners against Indonesia. Japan will be much more careful about giving away opportunities in dangerous areas.

Can India Defend Their Title?

India are chasing a record-extending sixth Junior Asia Cup men’s title.

They entered the tournament as defending champions. Their opening performance could hardly have been more convincing.

Nevertheless, the real test starts now.

The 14-0 win provides confidence and a huge boost to India’s goal difference. However, Japan, South Korea and Chinese Taipei will offer tougher challenges during the pool stage.

India’s immediate target is clear.

They must carry their attacking confidence into the Japan match. At the same time, they need to maintain the defensive discipline that Soyez has stressed during their preparation.

If Prabhdeep, Ekka and Yadav continue their scoring form, India will have every reason to believe they can make another deep run.

For now, though, the defending champions have sent a strong message.

India have arrived at the Junior Asia Cup ready to defend their crown. Japan are next.

The post Junior Asia Cup – India Thrash Indonesia first appeared on India Sports News.

Surat (Gujarat) [India], September 6 (ANI): The ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’ message took centre stage at the 89th edition of Fit India Sundays on Cycle in Surat on Sunday, with Union Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya leading the cycling initiative alongside Gujarat Deputy Chief Minister Harsh Sanghvi.

Speaking to reporters, Sports Minister Mandaviya said the nationwide ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi under the Fit India Movement, has attracted over 50 lakh youth across 25,000 locations, promoting the message of ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’.

He highlighted its message of promoting a drug-free youth and stressed that a healthy population is essential for building a healthy society and a prosperous, developed nation.

“As per the Fit India Movement, PM Modi has initiated the ‘Sundays on Cycle’ initiative countrywide… Over 50 lakh youth have participated in this from over 25,000 places across the country, with the aim of sending a message of ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat’," he said.

“It’s very important for any country that aspires to become developed to have its people healthy… Healthy people create a healthy society, and a healthy society helps in creating a prosperous country," Mandaviya said.

Notably, addressing the nation from the ramparts of the Red Fort on Independence Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi had highlighted drug abuse as a major crisis for the country and its youth.

The 89th edition also aligns with the 100-week nationwide Jan Bhagidari campaign under the ‘Nasha Mukt Yuva for Viksit Bharat Sankalp Abhiyan’, which seeks to build a sustained movement against substance abuse through sports, fitness, awareness and community participation.

The cycling event in Surat began at 6:00 AM from Sardar Patel Statue, Mangadh Chowk, passed through Mini Bazaar and Varachha Main Road, and culminated at Sarthana Zoo. (ANI)

(This content is sourced from a syndicated feed and is published as received. The Tribune assumes no responsibility or liability for its accuracy, completeness, or content.)

Dubai [UAE], September 6 (ANI): Following her side’s win over Pakistan in the women’s Asia Cup, Indian skipper Harmanpreet Kaur expressed happiness at her side’s win and gratitude for becoming the first cricketer to have led a country in 150 T20Is, saying that she did not expect to come that far.

Harmanpreet celebrated her landmark 150th T20I match as a captain by hitting the winning runs and absolutely demolishing Pakistan with the ball in her side’s final league stage match against Pakistan at Dubai on Saturday. With this win, India goes into the knockouts with winning momentum.

Speaking after the match, Harmanpreet said, “Very important game for us, and really happy with the way the entire team performed today, because we talk about being ruthless, and I am really happy with the way we performed."

She hailed the bowlers for their outstanding performances and for sticking to their strengths, plans and proper reading of the pitch.

“I think that is the key, understanding the pitch and then executing your plans accordingly," she added.

On her team losing early wickets during a chase of 56 runs, she said, “I think it is part of the game. They also bowled a few good balls, and I think the important thing was just being there, just keep batting and finish the game as soon as possible," she added.

On the unbeaten run to the semis and completing 150 T20I matches as a captain, she said, “It is very important to keep our standards high. We know what this team brings when we go to the field, and I think I am really happy (with the way everybody is coming up and showing up good performances, and now, in another two games, hopefully we will keep playing our best cricket. [On leading the side for the 150th T20I] I am grateful. I never thought I would come that far, but to all the people behind me who have been supporting me, I am really grateful, and hopefully I will keep getting the support, because I think without support I’m nothing. And yeah, I am grateful, and the entire team and support staff, they have been outstanding."

Shree Charani, who unleashed a brutal spin web with a four-over spell of 3/7 to become the ‘Player of the Match’ expressed her happiness at being able to contribute to the win.

“Great feeling to contribute to the team. Just wanted to bowl to my strength and the field. I just try to give more revs on the ball, and that helps. I think it is normal; like every day, it will be special, but I need to do more, contribute more for my country. I want to keep going with my good work," she said.

Pakistan skipper Fatima Sana said that they struggled throughout the innings, despite wanting to put a big total on a “fresh wicket".

“We had a collapse in the batting and struggled throughout the whole innings. [How wise was batting first?] We know that it was a fresh wicket, and we just wanted to put up the maximum total. We know we have a good bowling side. [On her three-wicket spell] But still, we lost the match; it does not matter. We needed a win, so it does not matter. [How crucial is the next match?] We will try to play good cricket there, and in the last match we will try to win and progress to the finals," she said.

After bundling Pakistan out for just 55 with openers Muneeba Ali (13) and Shawaal Zulfiqar (14) barely crossing the double digits, India chased down the target in only 8.4 overs, with skipper Harmanpreet Kaur (18) and Deepti Sharma (12) remaining unbeaten at the crease, despite losing Shafali Verma (12), Smriti Mandhana (9) and Pratika Rawal (4) for just 29 runs.

With this win, India completed a perfect group-stage campaign, securing three victories in as many matches. They defeated Thailand, Hong Kong and Pakistan to collect all six available points.

On the other hand, Pakistan’s final group-stage clash against Hong Kong will be a do-or-die encounter, with a place in the final four at stake. (ANI)

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The Duleep Trophy 2026 final sees East Zone taking on South Zone. The two sides meet each other at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai for the clash from September 6, and both sides would hope to put in a good showing in the clash. It is interesting to note that both teams have made their way into the summit clash on the back of impressive performances in the tournament. While East Zone defeated Central Zone in the semi-final of the competition, South Zone defeated North Zone in the semi-final to book their ticket to the final.