India’s junior males’s hockey workforce maintained its continental supremacy because it beat arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 to emerge Asia Cup champions for the fourth time right here on Thursday.
Angad Bir Singh (thirteenth minute) and Araijeet Singh Hundal (twentieth) scored for India whereas Pakistan managed to drag one again by way of Abdul Basharat (thirty seventh).
This was India’s fourth title, having earlier gained the event in 2004, 2008 and 2015. Pakistan have gained the event in 1987, 1992 and 1996.
Recognising the workforce’s effort and the unbeaten report in the distinguished event which noticed the nation qualify for the FIH Men’s Junior World Cup in Malaysia, the Hockey India Executive Board introduced a money award of â‚ą2 lakh every for the gamers and â‚ą1 lakh every for help workers.
India went on the offensive from the primary minute as they shortly earned a penalty nook by way of their first transfer. It was Sudeep Chirmako, who entered from the left wing and located the toes of a Pakistani defender however the subsequent probability went abegging.
India’s failure to transform penalty nook once more got here to gentle in the sixth minute when Sunit Lakra’s drag-flick was saved by the Pakistani goalkeeper.
However in the twelfth minute of the opening quarter, India drew first blood when Angad Bir Singh tapped one residence from shut vary after Araijeet Singh Hundal’s shot was deflected off the goalmouth melee.
Hundal, one of many brightest abilities amongst Indian hockey’s Gen-Next, elevated the result in 2-0 as he acquired a supply on the centre of the placing circle. He managed and took a flip and smashed the ball residence.
India made repeated raids into the Pakistan defensive third however the end was missing on most events whilst they took a wholesome 2-0 lead at half-time.
However, Pakistan pressed onerous after the breather and it was Abdul Basharat, who pulled one again in the thirty seventh minute when Abdul Shahid set the previous up with an ideal help.
The final quarter noticed Pakistan make a flurry of assaults with as they obtained a minimum of three penalty corners in fast succession.
In the fiftieth minute, Indian custodian Mohith Shashikumar made a diving save when Arbaz Ayaz tried to deflect a penalty nook from the left facet of the Indian objective.
They obtained one other penalty nook however Nadeem Khan’s try was off-target. The Indians managed to stave off the waves of assault after which did properly sufficient in the final moments to maintain their slender one-goal lead intact.
Congratulating the workforce, Hockey India President Dilip Tirkey stated, “The team has shown great promise over the past few months, particularly after their historic win at the Sultan of Johor Cup they have become a dominant force and I believe this big win will hold them in good stead for the Junior World Cup later this year.
“Hockey India has determined to honour the gamers for this feat with a befitting money award. I congratulate the workforce and the help workers for his or her efforts.”
Speaking about the tense final, India team captain Uttam Singh, who was adjudged the Player of the Match, said, “After the 1-1 draw in the spherical robin stage, we have been very conscious of the areas we needed to do properly in order to beat Pakistan. It was fairly a nervous Final. The workforce had by no means performed in entrance of such a giant crowd however I believe created early objectives helped us keep in management of the sport.” India coach C.R. Kumar said the win was a good team effort.
“It got here all the way down to executing our alternatives. Though I really feel we might have scored a number of extra objectives, if you end up taking part in a giant opponent like Pakistan there’s lots of stress. But I’m very proud of the best way the gamers managed their feelings and performed to their potential.”
