New Indian Express: Indian Men’s Junior Hockey Team Returns Home to a Warm Reception
NEW DELHI: The triumphant Indian men’s junior hockey team returned home to a warm reception after clinching the Asia Cup title in Malaysia.
The team reached here late last night and Hockey India officials and fans received the players at the airport with the beating of the drums and with garlands.
India had begun the campaign on a winning note by defeating Japan 2-1, followed by a close match with host Malaysia 5-4 and a 4-1 defeat of 4-1.
India drubbed Oman 9-0 in the quarterfinals and then beat Japan 6-1 in the semi-finals. In the summit clash, India beat arch-rivals Pakistan 6-2 to lift the trophy.
Almost fifty per cent of the goals India sored came from drag-flicker Harmanpreet Singh who top-scored with 15 goals and was awarded the Top Scorer of the Tournament.
Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dhaiya proved his mettle as opposition sides could barely find the board and he took the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Hockey India has rewarded the players and the coach with Rs 1,00,000 each and the support staff with Rs 50,000 each for their performance.
On arrival, a beaming and proud coach Harendra Singh, said, “It was a fantastic tournament for us. Our players were in peak form and our on field strategy and tactics helped us to dominate our opposition. We have garnered a lot of learning’s and confidence from our win and will hope to carry the winning momentum into 2016.”