AHF Jr Men’s Asia Cup 2026: Anmol stars as India trounce Malaysia to reach final

Moqi (China): In-form captain Anmol Ekka struck twice as defending champions India defeated Malaysia 3-1 to storm into their fourth consecutive AHF Men’s Junior Asia Cup final here on Friday.

Drag-flicker Anmol once again led from the front, scoring twice from penalty corners to take his tournament tally to an impressive 16 goals and strengthen his position at the top of the scoring charts.

Goalkeeper Vivek Lakra was equally influential, making a series of outstanding saves, including stopping a penalty stroke, which kept India in control of the contest.

The defending champions, chasing a fourth consecutive and sixth overall title, will face the winners of the second semi-final between Pakistan and South Korea.

India started strongly, with Ajeet Yadav coming close twice in the opening two minutes after getting onto long balls from deep defence. India earned three penalty corners, but Malaysian goalkeeper Amsyar Mohamad Adib made crucial saves. A 12th-minute turnover also gave India an opening, but they failed to convert.

India finally broke the deadlock in the 16th minute when skipper Anmol, at the first battery, fired a low flick past Amsyar for a 1-0 lead. Malaysia responded with pressure, but Lakra made a fine save in the 17th minute, while India’s first rusher blocked their first penalty corner.

Lakra was again outstanding in the third quarter, making a stunning double save in the 34th minute and another stop soon after. India were reduced to 10 players after Manmeet Singh Rai’s yellow card in the 36th minute and again after Prabhdeep Singh was booked in the 41st.

India extended the lead in the 51st minute when Sukhvinder finished a circle entry. Lakra then saved a 53rd-minute penalty stroke brilliantly. Anmol converted India’s subsequent penalty corner in the 54th minute after Malaysia lost a video referral, making it 3-0.

Malaysia scored through M Rahuul from their eighth penalty corner with 24 seconds left, but India held on for a 3-1 victory.

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The Hans India