India's junior men's hockey team maintained their continental supremacy over arch-rivals Pakistan with a 2-1 victory in the final to seal the Asia Cup trophy in Salalah (Oman) on Thursday, June 2. The goals were scored by Angad Bir Singh (13) and Araijeet Singh Hundal (20) for India while Pakistan pulled one back via Abdul Basharat (37).
This was India's fourth title, having earlier won the tournament in 2004, 2008 and 2015. Their rivals have won the tournament in 1987, 1992 and 1996.
India went on the offensive from the get-go, quickly earning a penalty corner with their first move. It was Sudeep Chirmako, who entered from the left wing and found the feet of a Pakistani defender but the subsequent chance went begging.
India's failure to convert penalty corners came to light in the sixth minute when Sunit Lakra's drag-flick was saved by the Pakistani goalkeeper. However, in the 12th minute of the opening quarter, India drew first blood when Angad Bir Singh tapped one home from close range after Araijeet Singh Hundal's shot was deflected off the goalmouth melee.
Hundal made it to 2-0 when he received a delivery at the centre of the striking circle. He controlled and took a turn and smashed the ball home. India made repeated raids into the Pakistan defensive third but the finish was lacking on most occasions even as they took a healthy 2-0 lead at half-time.
However, Pakistan pressed hard after the breather and it was Abdul Basharat, who pulled one back in the 37th minute when Abdul Shahid set the former up with a perfect assist.
The final quarter saw Pakistan make a flurry of attacks with as they got at least three penalty corners in quick succession. In the 50th minute, Indian custodian Mohith Shashikumar made a diving save when Arbaz Ayaz tried to deflect a penalty corner from the left side of the Indian goal.
They got another penalty corner but Nadeem Khan's attempt was off-target. The Indians managed to stave off the waves of attack and then did well enough in the final moments to keep their slender one-goal lead intact.
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