Muscat (Oman): The Indian Junior men's hockey team clinched the Asia Cup title for the second time on the trot as they beat Pakistan 5-3 in the high-scoring final in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday, December 3, 2024.
Araijeet Singh Hundal (4’, 18’, 47’, 54’) was in top form for India and Dilraj Singh (19’) scored a goal to join him on the scoresheet. While Pakistan's Captain Shahid Hannan (3’) and Sufyan Khan (30’, 39’) did their utmost to keep their team in the tie for the majority of the game.
Champions Once More 🇮🇳🔥
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 4, 2024
Team India lifts the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 trophy with an epic 5-3 triumph over Pakistan! 🎉💪 The defending champions have showcased their dominance, skill, and resilience, proving yet again why they reign supreme in Asia.
Another sensational… pic.twitter.com/hD45vqqWXT
India has now won this tournament for a record five times, including their previous triumphs in 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004. Hockey India, on this occasion, announced a cash reward of 2 lakhs to each player and 1 lakh to each support staff for their impeccable title defence and dominating performances in the Men's Junior Asia Cup.
ASIAN CHAMPIONS! 🔥
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 4, 2024
What a night for Indian hockey! 🏑
Team India lifts the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 trophy after a thrilling win over Pakistan. 💪
A display of passion, skill, and determination that will be remembered for years to come.
Here’s to the champions who made the… pic.twitter.com/wOL2DeuTai
While India were settling into the game, Pakistan’s Captain Shahid Hannan pounced on a stray ball in the shooting circle and beat Bikramjeet Singh in a one-on-one to steal a goal for Pakistan. India responded immediately by earning a penalty corner and Araijeet Singh Hundal unleashed a powerful drag flick to the right top corner to restore parity. Both teams went on to trade circle entries without finding the back of the net till the end of the first quarter.
" congratulations to india, pakistan, and japan for winning the gold, silver, and bronze medals, respectively, of the men’s junior asia cup 2024! a fantastic event with the rising stars of our sport played in a magnificent venue and with a superb organisation from oman!" - tayyab… pic.twitter.com/78ZjbGIjXQ
— International Hockey Federation (@FIH_Hockey) December 4, 2024
Within three minutes of the second quarter, India were awarded another penalty corner and Araijeet stepped up again, finding the gap between Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua and the postman with a thunderous drag flick to give India the lead. Following this, the Indian forwards relentlessly pressured Pakistan's defence. Soon, Dilraj weaved past two defenders on the left wing and struck the board, extending India's lead to 3-1. Although Pakistan mounted occasional attacks on the Indian goal and earned a penalty corner as the first half came to a close, Sufyan Khan showcased his drag-flicking skills, beating Bikramjit Singh in goal to make it 3-2.
Good Morning, Indian hockey fans!
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 5, 2024
Here are our boys, adding glory to your feed! 🏆🇮🇳
Watch the Men’s Junior Team lift the Junior Asia Cup trophy, celebrating their 5th title and a moment of pure pride for India. 🙌✨#IndiaKaGame #ChampionsAgain #JuniorAsiaCup2024… pic.twitter.com/TzWv3cFu6D
Araijeet created two chances in quick succession as the third quarter began but Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua pulled out amazing saves on both occasions to keep Pakistan in the match. Both teams went back and forth until Sufyan Khan, with six minutes left in the quarter, flicked the ball into the Indian goal from a penalty corner and ensured Pakistan headed into the last quarter, level on score.
Star of the show! 🌟
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) December 5, 2024
Araijeet Singh Hundal earns the MVP title at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 after an outstanding performance, scoring 4 brilliant goals.
Which of Araijeet’s goals was your favorite?
Let us know in the comments below! 🇮🇳🔥#IndiaKaGame #ChampionsAgain… pic.twitter.com/8tjPd0lmd2
As soon as the last quarter began, India seized the initiative. Manmeet Singh skillfully manoeuvred past his marker and found an unmarked Araijeet in front of the goal, who deflected the ball into the goal to restore India's lead and complete his hat-trick. With ten minutes to go, Zikriya Hayat embarked on a counter-attack, but Indian goalie Prince Deep Singh rushed out to avert any further danger. With six minutes left in the game, India earned a penalty corner and employed a variation to free up Araijeet, who smashed the ball into the top right corner with his flick, making it 5-3 for India. As the game headed to a close, Hannan Shahid carved out a significant goal-scoring opportunity, but Prince Deep stood firm in goal, swatting away the attempt and sealing India’s victory.
