It’s a sweet revenge for Indian colts.

Indian juniors went overboard on Tuesday at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium. It was around 10 in the night when the much-awaited India-Pak match was over. For any newcomer it would seem a tournament final is played. Because, the crowd on the right side of the stands were still shouting Bharat mata hi jai, and leaning downwards to greet the Indian players. Indian youngsters who had just beaten Pakistan comprehensively (5-1) were not tired of waving back, returning the gesture in good measure, signing autographs etc.

It was almost 15 minutes the crowd stayed put, engaging the youngsters. The joy was understandable, against the fact they let them down on the opening day, and who can forget the 4-0 to 4-6 journey against Korea. But today was different.

The joy is just revenge for the juniors who had been at the receiving end of Pakistan on hockey turfs recently. At least on the junior front ever since Hyderabad (Jr. Asia Cup) success, that followed only by a series of fiasco.

About three years ago, when this stadium was installed in preparation for the 2009 Junior World Cup, Malaysia organized a test tournament. It was called Genting 4-Nation Cup. India and Pakistan were among them. Though India defeated Pakistan true and well in the league 3-1, it had to bow in the final on a golden goal. Haseem, who is now graduated to senior ranks, struck the golden goal. So, the first honor of the new turf went to Pakistan at the cost of India.

Now move to hockey’s unfamiliar territory, Burma. Rangoon hosted a Under-18 Asia Cup. India lost to Pakistan 2-4 in the league, and then could not make much headway. Pakistan eventually won the edition and thus moved to Youth Games held across the causeway. At least half a dozen players of that team are here, that includes Amit Rohidas, yesterday’s captain Talwinder Singh, midfielder Devinder Walmiki, Sukhdev Singh NaveenKumar and Gunasekar.

Those loses were compensated today, and the brisk and spontaneously celebration was but natural.