Muscat: The Indian junior men's hockey team triumphed over their long-standing rivals, Pakistan, with a score of 5-3 in a thrilling final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup held in Muscat, Oman, on Wednesday, successfully defending their championship title.
Araijeet Singh Hundal was in exceptional form, scoring four goals (4', 18', 47', 54'), while Dilraj Singh contributed with two goals (19'). Pakistan's Captain Shahid Hannan (3') and Sufyan Khan (30', 39') made significant efforts to keep their team competitive throughout the match.
With this victory, India has now claimed the tournament trophy a record five times, adding to their previous wins in 2023, 2015, 2008, and 2004.
As the match began, Pakistan's Captain Shahid Hannan capitalized on a loose ball in the shooting circle, successfully beating Bikramjeet Singh in a one-on-one situation to score the opening goal for Pakistan.
India quickly responded by earning a penalty corner, where Araijeet Singh Hundal executed a powerful drag flick into the top right corner, leveling the score. Both teams exchanged opportunities but were unable to score before the end of the first quarter.
Just three minutes into the second quarter, India was awarded another penalty corner, and Araijeet once again delivered, finding the gap between Pakistan's goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua and the post-man with a fierce drag flick to put India ahead.
The Indian forwards continued to apply intense pressure on Pakistan's defense. Shortly thereafter, Dilraj skillfully maneuvered past two defenders on the left wing and found the back of the net, increasing India's lead to 3-1. Although Pakistan launched sporadic attacks on the Indian goal and earned a penalty corner as the first half neared its conclusion, Sufyan Khan demonstrated his drag-flicking prowess, successfully beating Bikramjit Singh in goal to narrow the score to 3-2.
As the third quarter commenced, Araijeet created two scoring opportunities in quick succession, but Pakistan's goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua made remarkable saves to keep his team in contention. The match saw both teams exchanging attacks until Sufyan Khan, with six minutes remaining in the quarter, converted a penalty corner, leveling the score at 3-3 as they entered the final quarter.
At the start of the last quarter, India quickly took control. Manmeet Singh deftly evaded his defender and located an unmarked Araijeet in front of the goal, who redirected the ball into the net, regaining the lead and completing his hat-trick. With ten minutes remaining, Zikriya Hayat initiated a counter-attack, but Indian goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh swiftly intervened to prevent any further threats.
With six minutes left in the match, India was awarded a penalty corner and executed a variation that allowed Araijeet to unleash a powerful flick into the top right corner, extending the score to 5-3 in favor of India. As the game drew to a close, Hannan Shahid created a crucial scoring chance, but Prince Deep stood resolute in goal, deflecting the attempt and securing India's victory.
