The Indian junior men’s hockey team burst onto the scene at the Sultan of Johor Cup with a commanding 4-2 victory over Japan on Saturday. The young Indian squad showcased their prowess and determination right from the first whistle, putting on a display of attacking hockey that left the Japanese team struggling to keep up.
Early in the match, India’s Amir Ali broke the deadlock, scoring a stunning field goal in the 12th minute. Japan, however, quickly retaliated with a goal from Tsubasa Tanaka in the 26th minute, leveling the score and igniting a fierce battle for dominance.
The Indian team, displaying remarkable resilience, refused to be deterred by the equalizer. They weathered a Japanese attack that nearly yielded a second goal, thanks to the heroic efforts of Indian goalie Ali Khan, who made a crucial save to keep India in the lead.
India regained the lead just six minutes into the second half when Gurjot Singh, making waves after his senior international debut at the Asian Champions Trophy last month, scored a beautiful field goal. The goal, beautifully assisted by Mohd Konain Dad, injected fresh momentum into the Indian team’s play.
Minutes later, Dilraj Singh skillfully earned a penalty corner for India, setting the stage for Anand Sourabh Kushwaha to deliver a thunderous drag-flick that soared past Japan’s goalie Kisho Kuroda, extending India’s lead to 3-1.
The Indians continued their goal-scoring spree in the final quarter, with Ankit Pal securing the team’s fourth goal in the 47th minute. His quick reaction to a rebound from a penalty corner sent the ball past Japan’s keeper, solidifying India’s commanding position.
Though Japan managed to score one more goal through Rakusei Yamanaka in the 57th minute, India held their ground, maintaining their 4-2 lead. Despite some tense moments as the clock ticked down, the Indian team’s attack remained relentless, pushing for a fifth goal. However, Japan’s goalie Koki Origasa stood strong, denying India’s final attempts.
The final whistle blew, signaling a resounding 4-2 victory for India. This impressive start to the Sultan of Johor Cup, under the guidance of legendary former goalkeeper PR Sreejesh, is a testament to the talent and dedication of the young Indian squad. The team’s performance has instilled hope for a successful campaign at the tournament, and fans around the world will be eagerly watching to see what these promising young players can achieve.