Can Harendra win second Junior Asia Cup for India ?
Under Harendra Singh’s coaching India won its maiden Asia Cup in five attempts at Karachi and it is to his credit he is still stuck with juniors and is on the eve of winning his second — and India’s third — Junior Asia Cup.
Of course his Karachi days and Kuantan waiting to happen, Ajay Kumar Bansal has got India a junior crown at Hyderabad.
But today is different, and it is what it makes sports a great show on the earth.
In many words Harendra Singh has a revenge at hand.
The venue was same Kuantan. Year 2013. Coaching team had both Dhanraj Pillay and Harendra Singh. One a famous player the other adulated coach. Both came to Kuantan after winning a low-key Azlan Shah Cup at nearby Ipoh in Malaysia.
But in the Sr. Men’s Asia Cup league match India could not put it across Pakistan, which had just recalled almost worn out Sohail Abbas. He struck only goal of the event against India.
The loss ultimately led the defending champions India to the third place.
Now on the same venue, Harendra is there with the junior teams. The task now on hand is the final against traditional rival.
On this day Harendra Singh can look forward to his Karachi days when for the first time India won its first Junior Asia Cup.
India , with physio Dr. Saju Joseph and manager Hanumantha Rao, had difficulty in the semis against its nemesis Korea but Adrian D’Souza helped India to overcome the ordeal.
The final was supposed to be a cracker but it turned out be one-sided. India overran Pakistan for a 5-2 win, and it was India’s first Junior Cup win. And it came on the Pak soils is a bonus for Harendra’s effort.
Now we can wait to see whether Harendra repeats Karachi at Kuantan or will allow old Kuantan memories to haunt him.