Attacking in waves, India mopped up a whopping nine goals, while conceding nil, against England in the non-medal round of the 9th Junior World Cup, Singpore.
Forwards Pramod Kumar, Mandeep Antil, Victo Singh and Danish Mujtaba kept the raw England side on tender hooks all the 70 minutes, and the goals came in troves.
Mujtaba’s first goal was scored within 30 seconds from the start, virtually from the bulley off. This set the tune and tenor of the proceedings to follow.
Indians in fact showed how great goals can be scored from field play. The third goal of Danish Mujtaba needs special mention, as it comes after a gem of a deflection off a diagonal pass from deep inside the midfield from Innocent Kullu.
Jaykaran entered his name in the scorer board with deft forehand shot in the 6th minute before the Mujtaba’s great effort.
Diwakarram converted teams first PC in the 22nd minute and then converted a stroke in the 49th minute. Victo singh, inbetween, scored from his patented wing surge in the 30th minute to take India a 5-0 lead at the lemon time.
After Diwakar’s stroke goal, Mandeep scored in the 54th minute, then Innocent Kullu off a penalty corner in the 62nd minute before Diwakar converted a short corner through an immaculate grounder in the 67th minute.
England played its first match here in Singapore, and had to face the wrath of the Indians, who defeated them 6-1 at Melbourned early this year at the Youth Olympics.
England came close to scoring midway through the second half when it got three successive penatly corners, but as usual Indian goalie Mrinal Choubey was in his elements.
Mandeep Antil deserved to be named man of the match today, as his speed and acumen in sending crosses were beyond the reach of the English colts.