India secured a spot in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup Junior Hockey Tournament on Friday by defeating hosts Malaysia 2-1 in their last group match. Gurjot Singh scored for India in the 22nd minute, and Saurabh Anand Kushwaha sealed the team's victory with a penalty corner goal in the 48th minute.
SPORTS NEWS: The Indian junior hockey team has once again demonstrated to the world its prowess as a new force in hockey with its outstanding performance. India secured its place in the final of the Sultan of Johor Cup Junior Hockey Tournament by defeating hosts Malaysia 2-1 in their final group match. With this victory, India has entered the final for a record eighth time.
In this thrilling encounter, which started late due to rain, Gurjot Singh and Saurabh Anand Kushwaha emerged as the heroes for India's victory, scoring from penalty corners. Navneeth Panicker scored the lone goal for Malaysia. India will now battle for the title against Australia in the final on Saturday.
Rain Increased the Challenge, But India Remained Steadfast
The match start was disrupted by the weather. Heavy rain caused the game to be postponed for a while, leaving the field wet. In the initial minutes, both teams struggled to maintain control of the ball. India initially tried to break the Malaysian defense with long aerial passes, but opposing goalkeeper Hazik Hairul made brilliant saves, preventing an early lead.
India earned several penalty corners in the first quarter, but the team failed to convert them into goals. As the field dried, Indian players began to find their rhythm. India's attack intensified steadily in the second quarter, and the pressure eventually broke Malaysia's defensive line.
Gurjot and Kushwaha Emerge as Heroes of India's Victory
In the 22nd minute, India earned a penalty corner, from which Gurjot Singh brilliantly scored on the rebound, giving India a 1-0 lead. India maintained this lead until half-time, despite having several other opportunities to score. In the third quarter, Malaysia attempted a b comeback. In the 43rd minute, Navneeth Panicker scored from close range, leveling the score at 1-1. The Indian defense failed to clear the ball cleanly at that moment, which the Malaysian forward capitalized on.
However, India immediately counter-attacked. In the 48th minute, during another penalty corner, Saurabh Anand Kushwaha sent the ball into the net on the rebound, restoring the team's lead. This goal proved decisive, and India won the match 2-1, securing their ticket to the final.
India Reaches Final for the Eighth Time
This marks India's 12th appearance in the Sultan of Johor Cup, and the team has reached the final for a record eighth time. The Indian junior team has consistently delivered impressive performances in this tournament. With this victory, India remained unbeaten in their campaign to secure a spot in the final. India will now face Australia, who topped their group matches with stellar performances. The Indian coaching staff states that the team's sole focus is now on winning the title.
Head Coach CR Kumar said after the match, "This victory is a result of our discipline and team spirit. The players showed excellent control in challenging conditions. Our goal in the final is to win the gold medal." India earned more than 10 penalty corners during the match. Although the team could only convert two, their ability to create chances kept the Malaysian defense under constant pressure. Goalkeeper Prem Kumar also made several brilliant saves, preserving the team's lead.
