The Indian junior men’s hockey team defeated arch-rival Pakistan with a 5-3 scoreline in the high-scoring final of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday to successfully defend their title. Hockey India has announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh for each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff for their impeccable title defence and dominating performances in the Men’s Junior Asia Cup. Araijeet Singh Hundal (4′, 18′, 47′, 54′) showed top form for India and Dilraj Singh (19′) scored a brace to join him on the scoresheet. On the other hand, Pakistan’s Captain Shahid Hannan (3′) and Sufyan Khan (30′, 39′) tried their utmost to keep their team in the final for the majority of the game.

India has now lifted the trophy in this tournament a record five times, including their previous triumphs in 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004.

While India were settling into the game, Pakistan’s Captain Shahid Hannan pounced on a stray ball in the shooting circle and beat Bikramjeet Singh in a one-on-one to steal a goal for Pakistan.

India responded immediately by earning a penalty corner (PC) and Araijeet Singh Hundal unleashed a powerful drag flick to the right top corner to restore parity in the final. Both teams went on to trade circle entries but couldn’t find the back of the net till the end of the first quarter.

Within three minutes of the second quarter, India were awarded another penalty corner and Araijeet stepped up again, finding the gap between Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua and the post-man with a thunderous drag flick to give India the lead.

Following this, the Indian forwards relentlessly pressured Pakistan’s defence. Soon, Dilraj weaved past two defenders on the left wing and struck the board, extending India’s lead to 3-1. Although Pakistan mounted occasional attacks on the Indian goal and earned a penalty corner as the first half came to a close, Sufyan Khan showcased his drag-flicking skills, beating Bikramjit Singh in goal to make it 3-2.

Araijeet created two chances in quick succession as the third quarter began but Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua pulled out amazing saves on both occasions to keep Pakistan in the match. Both teams went back and forth until Sufyan Khan, with six minutes left in the quarter, flicked the ball into the Indian goal from a penalty corner and ensured Pakistan headed into the last quarter, level on score.

As soon as the last quarter began, India seized the initiative. Manmeet Singh skillfully manoeuvred past his marker and found an unmarked Araijeet in front of the goal, who deflected the ball into the goal to restore India’s lead and complete his hat-trick. With ten minutes to go, Zikriya Hayat embarked on a counter-attack, but Indian goalie Prince Deep Singh rushed out to avert any further danger.

With six minutes left in the game, India earned a penalty corner and employed a variation to free up Araijeet, who smashed the ball into the top right corner with his flick, making it 5-3 for India. As the game headed to a close, Hannan Shahid carved out a significant goal-scoring opportunity, but Prince Deep stood firm in goal, swatting away the attempt and sealing India’s victory.

Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals as defending champions India defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3 in the summit clash to win a hat-trick of titles in the men’s junior Asia Cup in Muscat on Wednesday. This was India’s fifth title in the continental tournament, having previously won the crown in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023. The tournament was not held in 2021 due to COVID-19 pandemic. Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal getter for India.

For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.

Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.

There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter.

The highlight of the first quarter was ariel passes employed by both the teams.

But Pakistan had the first laugh, striking as early as the third minute through a field goal from Shahid.

India didn’t sit back and secured their first penalty corner seconds later, and Araijeet stepped up to draw level with a powerful drag-flick to the right of Pakistan goalkeeper.

India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick.

A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India’s lead to 3-1.

Pakistan, however, reduced the margin in the 30th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.

Pakistan were the better side on display after the change of ends and they drew level in the 39th minute through another penalty corner conversion by Sufyan.

India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet’s effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.

Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.

India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.

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