India's sub-junior men's team won the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship final on July 25. India bagged a gold medal with a 3-1 win over arch-rivals Pakistan. India finished the campaign unbeaten on the top of Elite Pool Standings.
Romit Pal got India an early lead in the fifth minute. Ketan Kushwaha and Shahrukh Ali scored in 12th and 13th minute respectively. Pakistan's only goal of the match came in the 16th minute off Muhammad Usman's stick. But, it turned out to be a consolation goal as India won the title.
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While Pakistan lost the final, they will advance to the FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup alongside Asian champions India.
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Women’s team to return with silver
On the other hand, the India women's sub-junior team settled for a silver. China beat India 4-2 in the final. India had reached the final with a dominating 8-1 win against Kazakhstan but they were blown away by Chinese attack early into the final. For China, Tongtong Lu scored in the first minute. In the fifth and sixth minute, Kexin Tag and Jiaxin Guo extended the lead.
India reduced the deficit with Nousheen Naz scoring the first goal in the 13th minute. But, China ruled out India's comeback with Chen Ge scoring a goal in the 19th minute. Pushpa Manjhi scored in the 20th minute but it did not revive India's chances of a win. They will return home with a silver medal.
Cash prizes for players and support staff
Each player of the men's team which won the gold medal will receive Rs 2 lakh each. Each member of the staff will get Rs 1 lakh.
The silver medal-winning India women's team members will be awarded Rs 1 lakh each. The members of their support staff will receive Rs 50,000 each.
Hockey India president Dilip Tirkey congratulated the players for bagging medals at the championships.
"Our sub-junior men's and women's teams have made the nation proud with their outstanding performances at the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship. The men's victory over Pakistan in the final and the women's silver medal are a reflection of the hard work put in by the players, coaches and support staff. These results underline the depth of talent in Indian hockey, and we are confident these youngsters will continue to make the country proud," Tirkey said.