The Indian hockey team scored a hat-trick by defeating Pakistan 5-3 in the men’s junior Asia Cup final in Muscat on Wednesday.
It was India’s fifth title and third consecutive title after wins in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023. India and Pakistan also clashed in the previous final, with the former emerging victorious by a margin of 2-1.
Arajit Singh Hundal scored four goals in a game that shocked Pakistan, who were undefeated since the group stage. Arajit scored three penalty corners in the 4th, 18th and 54th minutes and scored a field goal in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh scored the 19th goal for India.
For Pakistan, Sufian Khan (30th, 39th) scored two penalty corners and Hannan Shahid scored in the third minute of the match.
Japan had earlier won the third place by beating Malaysia 2-1.
India won!!
The boys did it! We are the 2024 Men’s Junior Asia Cup Champions!#HIL2024 pic.twitter.com/HuWpArMZ6q
– Hockey India League (@HockeyIndiaLeag) December 4, 2024
There was nothing to differentiate the two sides as both India and Pakistan battled hard for possession in the first quarter. In the second quarter, India improved their game and secured the second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Arajit scored with another powerful flick. A minute later, Dilraj’s excellent field goal increased India’s lead to 3-1.
Although India got the third penalty corner in the 47th minute, Arajit’s effort was saved by Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
However, Arajit was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net with a field effort seconds later to give India the lead again.
India pressed hard on Pakistan’s fort in the last 10 minutes and got a few more penalty corners before Araijit found the net again from a good difference to make the scoreline 5-3.
– with PTI inputs