K. ARUMUGAM
India routed Canada 10-1 to finish second in Pool C after Spain hammered South Korea 8-2 to finish on top of Pool C with a 100% record in Saturday’s action at the Bukit Jalil stadium in Kuala Lumpur.
India face the Netherlands in the quarterfinals of the 2023 FIH Men’s Junior World Cup. Their arch-rivals Pakistan take on Spain after holding Belgium 1-1 who needed a win to progress. France v Australia along with Argentina v Germany are the other quarterfinal matchups in the 16-nation tournament.
India were more or less assured of a quarterfinal berth but the gloom of a 1-4 loss to Spain induced the team to recover from the setback and build momentum for the knockout rounds.
India, for a change, played a perfect attacking game to outplay Canada, whose fans were the only crowd in the vast stands. Malaysia has been a hockey nation, it used to have a strong fan base especially in Kuala Lumpur. However, it was unbelievable today to see empty stands when India took on Canada. The Pan American needed a win to retrieve some solace — they have lost first two matches badly — but they could not do anything beyond first quarter. India was quick to assert supremacy, though they did not show any such prowess in the first quarter.
Lalage Aditya Arjun (2, fg), Rohit (2, pc, fg), Amadeep Lakra (2, pc), Vishnukant Singh (fg), Uttam Singh, Rajinder Singh (fg) and Kushwaha Sourab Anand (fg) were on target for India with Canada scoring a consolation through Jude Nicholson who pulled one back at 1-2 with a field goal.
India against Canada in Jr WC
Pakistan squeezed their way to the quarterfinals and the achievement will do a great deal of good to their hockey, which has fallen on lean times.
Jack Vloeberghs put the young Red Lions ahead in the third minute from a penalty corner. Pakistan levelled in the 42nd minute through Arbaz Ahmad, also from a penalty corner.
In Tuesday’s quarterfinals, France first take on Australia, followed by India vs Netherlands. Argentina then play Germany in a repeat of the 2021 final before Pakistan square up to Spain.