Anmol Ekka to lead men's squad at AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026
New Delhi, Aug 7
Hockey India on Friday unveiled the junior Indian men's team for the AHF Junior Asia Cup 2026, naming an 18-member squad along with two alternate players for the tournament to be held in Moqi, China, from August 30 to September 13.
Captained by defender Anmol Ekka, the squad is currently training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bengaluru under the guidance of newly appointed coach Frederic Soyez.
As part of their build-up to the tournament, the team recently completed a productive exposure tour of Belgium, where they competed against strong international opposition. The tour offered the players valuable match experience and key takeaways, enabling the squad to assess their progress, refine their combinations and further strengthen their preparations ahead of the AHF Junior Asia Cup.
The team is gaining further competitive exposure through friendly matches against the Malaysian U-21 team at the SAI centre in Bengaluru.
Speaking on the squad selection, coach Soyez said, "We are pleased with the balance and depth of the squad selected for the Junior Asia Cup. The players have worked hard over the past few months, showing commitment, discipline and a strong desire to improve. Selection was based on consistent performances, attitude and the ability to execute our game plan under pressure."
The AHF Junior Asia Cup is one of the premier junior hockey competitions in Asia, bringing together the continent's top emerging teams in a highly competitive environment. The tournament will provide India's young squad with an opportunity to test themselves against the best in the region as they look to make a strong impression.
"It will be a highly competitive tournament, and we respect every opponent," added Soyez. "Our focus will be on playing disciplined, attacking hockey while staying true to our structure."
Highlighting the significance of the tournament in the players' development, the coach said, "This tournament is also an important step in the players' development, and we are confident this group has the potential to deliver strong performances and make the country proud."
The squad:
Goalkeepers: Vivek Lakra, Kunal Tewatia
Defenders: Anmol Ekka (c), Rohit Kullu, Chirag, Ravinder, Ashu Maurya, Sanjit Tirkey, Sukhvinder
Midfielders: Adrohit Ekka, Harpal, Jeetpal, Manmeet Singh Rai
Forwards: Ajeet Yadav, Prabhdeep Singh, Gursewak Singh, Aryan Xess, Lovenoor Singh
Alternate Players: Arjun Santosh Hargude, Ritik Lakra
— IANS
Reader Comments
Good squad selection, but I hope the coaching staff focuses on converting penalty corners and improving our finishing in the attacking circle. We have the talent, just need to execute under pressure. Wishing the team success in China!
Frederic Soyez brings a wealth of experience as a coach. His focus on discipline and attacking hockey is exactly what we need at the junior level. This team has some exciting names like Lovenoor Singh and Ajeet Yadav. Fingers crossed for a strong showing! 🤞
It's good to see players from tribal communities being represented in the squad like Anmol Ekka, Rohit Kullu and Sanjit Tirkey. Hockey has always been a sport that brings diverse talent together. Hope these boys make their families and our country proud!
While I'm excited about this team, I feel we need more competitive matches against top-tier nations like Australia and Netherlands at the junior level. Playing only Malaysia and Belgium might not be enough. Still, the selection looks balanced. Good luck to the team!
The SAI Bengaluru centre is becoming a real nursery for our hockey talent. With a coach like Soyez mentoring them, this team has a solid foundation. Can't wait to watch them play in the Junior Asia Cup. Jai Hockey! 🏑✨
S We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.