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Ashish Purti scored a hat-trick as India beat hosts Japan 4-1 in the final on Friday to win the men’s Under-18 Asia Cup title.Purti found the net in the 2nd, 28th and 34th minutes, while captain Ketan Kushwaha scored in the 30th minute as India took control of the contest. Numada Gaku scored Japan’s only goal in the 52nd minute.Following the victory, Hockey India announced a cash award of Rs 3 lakh for each player of the title-winning team and Rs 1.5 lakh for each member of the support staff.Hockey India also announced Rs 1 lakh for each player of the Indian women’s U-18 team, which won the bronze medal earlier in the day, and Rs 50,000 for each member of the support staff.India made a quick start, earning a penalty corner within the opening 90 seconds. Purti converted the chance to give India a 1-0 lead.Japan tried to respond and entered the Indian circle four times in the first quarter, but the Indian defence held firm as the visitors stayed ahead at the end of the opening period.The hosts continued to press in the second quarter and earned their first penalty corner of the match, but could not find an equaliser.India then struck again in the 28th minute when Purti converted another penalty corner to make it 2-0.Soon after, Prahalad Rajbhar won possession in a dangerous area and set up Kushwaha, who scored to extend India’s lead to 3-0 before halftime.India added a fourth goal in the third quarter. Varinder Singh’s run earned another penalty corner, and Purti completed his hat-trick in the 34th minute to put India 4-0 ahead.Japan got on the scoresheet in the 52nd minute when Numada Gaku converted a penalty stroke to make it 4-1.The hosts earned three more penalty corners in the final stages but could not break through the Indian defence again.Purti was named Player of the Match. He also finished as the tournament’s highest scorer with 13 goals.
