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Journalism of Courage
The Indian hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the final to secure a hat-trick of Men’s Junior Asia Cup titles in Muscat on Wednesday.
The triumph marked India’s fifth title and a third in succession following the victories in 2004, 2008, 2015 and 2023. India and Pakistan had met in the previous final too, with the former emerging victorious by a 2-1 margin.
Araijeet Singh Hundal slammed four goals in the summit clash to stun Pakistan who were also undefeated since the group stages of the tournament. Araijeet converted three penalty corners in the fourth, 18th and 54th minutes besides finding the net from a field effort in the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th) was the other goal-getter for India.
For Pakistan, Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners, while Hannan Shahid scored from field play in the third minute.
Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to claim the third spot earlier in the day.
There was hardly anything to differentiate between the two sides as both India and Pakistan fought hard for ball possession in the first quarter. India upped their game in the second quarter and secured their second penalty corner in the 18th minute and Araijeet struck again with another powerful flick. A minute later, a fine field goal by Dilraj extended India’s lead to 3-1.
India secured their third penalty corner in the 47th minute, but Araijeet’s effort was saved by Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua.
Araijeet, however, was not to be denied his hat-trick as he found the net from a field effort seconds later to hand India the lead again.
India pressed hard on the Pakistan citadel in the final 10 minutes and secured a few more penalty corners and Araijeet found the net again from a fine variation to make the scoreline 5-3.
– WITH PTI inputs
