Kuantan, Malaysia, 21st November 2015:Traditional rivals India and Pakistan posted contrasting victories today in the semi-finals of Kuantan Junior Asia cup for dream Sunday final
While India comfortably went through the motion of setting the Japan challenge aside with a 6-1 win, Pakistan struggled to draw the Koreans 2-2 and then emerged successful in the shoot out to enter the final.
Pakistan’s goalkeeper, Muhammad Khalid, later declared ‘Man of the Match’,came out with his best to get his nation the much needed hockey relief in the second semi-final match of their 8th Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2015 at the Wisma Belia Hockey Stadium in Kuantan today.
India started the first half with their usual flair and attacking play and within the first 12 minutes India opened their account through a field goal from Mandeep Singh.
Manpreet (Jr.) added another goal in the next minute to take India 2-0 up.
India didn’t look back after this and continued with their goal fest as Harmanpreet scored his 10th goal of the tournament from a penalty corner giving India a comfortable 3-0 lead. Vikramjit Singh’s field goal in the 27th minute consolidated India’s lead in the game. The first half ended with the score at 4-0 in India’s favour.
Japan started the second half with an attacking intent and was rewarded with a penalty corner which was converted by Yamada Shota giving Japan a much needed breather. However India struck back fiercely in the 48th minute through a penalty corner conversion by Harmanpreet Singh taking his tally to 11 goals in the tournament. The margin of the win was extended even further with Varun Kumar scoring from a penalty corner to make it 6-1 in India’s favour and booking a berth for India in the finals.
“The boys played really well making it a great day for us in the tournament. We are one step away from winning the tournament and it is the time when we all need to keep our calm. The team is well drilled and hungry for more. We will take the next match as any other normal game and focus on putting up a good tight show” said Harendra Singh, Coach, Indian Junior Men’s Hockey Team