India Wins Fifth Junior Asia Cup Title, Defeats Pakistan 5-3 in Final

Muscat (Oman), 04 December :The Indian junior men's hockey team successfully defended its title by defeating Pakistan 5-3 in a high-scoring final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat (Oman) today. With four goals from Arjit Singh Hundal, the defending champions India triumphed over their arch-rivals Pakistan in the final to secure a hat-trick of titles. This is India's fifth title in the continental tournament. India had previously won the title in 2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023. The tournament could not be held in 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. On this occasion, Hockey India announced a cash reward of ₹2 lakh for each player and ₹1 lakh for each member of the support staff.

Arjit Singh Hundal converted three penalty corners in the 4th, 18th, and 54th minutes, and scored a field goal in the 47th minute. Another goal for India was scored by Dilraj Singh in the 19th minute. For Pakistan, Sufiyan Khan scored two penalty corner goals in the 30th and 39th minutes, while Hannan Shahid gave Pakistan the lead in the 3rd minute with a field goal. However, despite their efforts, Pakistan could not secure the win.

Pakistan started the match with a lot of energy, taking the lead in the 3rd minute through a field goal by Shahid. However, India quickly earned its first penalty corner, and Hundal converted it into a goal with a brilliant drag flick to bring the score level at 1-1.

In the second quarter, India improved their play. In the 18th minute, they earned their second penalty corner, and once again, Hundal converted it into a goal. Just a minute later, Dilraj scored a superb field goal to give India a 3-1 lead. Pakistan responded in the 30th minute with a penalty corner conversion by Sufiyan, reducing India's lead to 3-2. Sufiyan then scored another penalty corner in the 39th minute, bringing the score to 3-3.

In the final quarter, India intensified their efforts. In the 47th minute, they earned a third penalty corner, and Hundal’s shot was saved by Pakistan’s goalkeeper. But soon after, Hundal scored a field goal, putting India back in the lead. In the last 10 minutes of the match, India continued to press, and the pressure on Pakistan increased. Eventually, Hundal scored again with a brilliant variation, sealing India’s 5-3 victory and their fifth Junior Asia Cup title.