With an overwhelming Oman win, India is all set to take on Pakistan in the Dhaka semifinals.

Shrugging off its sluggish start, Nilam Xess’ Indian team came in force to outplay Oman for a heartwarming 11-0 win today to set up semifinal clash against Pakistan in the Dhaka Sub-Junior Asia Cup.

Earlier in the day, under hot sun, Pakistan posted its second win, 6-1 against compact looking China.

With two wins in two matches, Pakistan has entered the semis, topping the pool, though a match remains to be played before completing its pool match.

Inexperienced and under-prepared Indian colts lost its first match to the hosts 4-5, and today’s win helped them regain the confidence.

Unlike yesterday and also in the morning session in which two matches were played, hot and humid climate gave way to cool overcast sky, which came handy for Indians to come out with colours despite playing their second match in 24 hours.
However, despite dominating Oman once the ball was set on motion, India could not move the board, even wasting first four penalty corners got in the first six minutes.

However, once captain Nilam Xess broke the deadlock in the 8th minute off the sixth penalty corner, third in succession, and then in the 15th minute off the sixth PC, the Indians did not turn back.

Dilpreet Singh, was in his elements, striking goals in the 34th 53rd and 68th minutes.

He was declared Man of the Match,
Set up by hardworking Umar of MP Hockey Academy (SAI), Abhishek struck in the 16th minute. Ten minutes later, Shivam Anand increased the lead. Four minutes later, National Hockey Academy’s Konjengban Singh, who had an outstanding match today, added first of his three goals.

He also tasted the Oman cage in 40th and 62nd minutes. India was awarded a stroke two minutes before the hooter, which Dilpreet converted easily.

Coach BJ Cariappa was happy man.

“Boys have forgotton yesterday. They could gain confidence. They did well today, applied mind in seeing game plan on the turf”, the much relieved coach said.