Indian Junior Men's Hockey Team Returns to Bengaluru After Asia Cup Victory

Bengaluru, Dec 5 (NationPress) The Indian junior men’s hockey squad arrived in Bengaluru on Thursday after showcasing a commanding performance at the Men's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman. India defeated their arch-rivals Pakistan 5-3, successfully defending their continental championship. With this achievement, India has claimed their fifth Men’s Junior Asia Cup title, further establishing themselves as one of the premier teams in Asia.

India competed in Pool A alongside Japan, Korea, Thailand, and Chinese Taipei. They dominated the group stage with decisive victories over Thailand, Chinese Taipei, and Korea. However, their second match against Japan was among the most challenging, yet Araijeet Singh Hundal netted a goal in the third quarter, ensuring a 3-2 victory. By the end of the pool stage, India had scored an impressive total of 38 goals while conceding only three.

Captain Amir Ali reflected on the journey, stating, "Our path in the Junior Asia Cup was remarkable. Each match had its own hurdles, yet the determination and effort of our team stood out. Our forwards were exceptional, consistently dismantling defenses and creating scoring chances. Winning this title for a fifth time is a testament to our dedication to excellence and the backing of our amazing fans."

In the semi-finals, India faced Malaysia, securing a 3-1 victory with goals from Dilraj Singh, vice captain Rohit, and Sharda Nand Tiwari. The final was fiercely contested, with Pakistan refusing to yield until the final quarter. Nevertheless, Araijeet delivered a stellar performance, scoring four goals to lead India to the gold medal. His efforts also propelled him to second place on the scoring charts with a total of 10 goals.

This title defense followed a commendable performance at the Sultan of Johor Cup last month, where head coach PR Sreejesh guided his team to a bronze medal in his inaugural competition. The Indian junior men’s team will now shift their focus to the upcoming FIH Hockey Men’s Junior World Cup 2025, scheduled to take place in Chennai next year.

Vice captain Rohit concluded, "Every player played a crucial role in this significant victory, and our teamwork has been incredibly motivating. The challenging matches, particularly against Japan and Pakistan, tested our resilience, but we remained focused and executed our strategies. This is a moment of pride for us all, and we eagerly anticipate the Junior World Cup in Chennai."