-Arijit Singh Hundal, Saurabh Anand Kushwaha and Gurjot Singh scored two goals each.
Muscat (Oman), 27 November (HIST). The Indian junior men’s hockey team registered an 11-0 win against Thailand in the opening match of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 campaign in Muscat, Oman today. Arijit Singh Hundal (2′, 24′) who will play for Team Gonasika in the upcoming HIL and Saurabh Anand Kushwaha (19′, 52′) of Delhi SG Pipers and Gurjot Singh (18′, 45′) of UP Rudras scored . Handle each one in the game. While Arshdeep Singh (8′), Sharda Nand Tiwari (10′) Dilraj Singh (21′), Rohit (29′) and Mukesh Toppo (59′) scored one goal each in India’s comprehensive win.
India controlled the ball right from the opening whistle and soon put the ball in the net. Arjit Singh Hundal scored the first goal with a fierce reverse shot from the left wing, following Priobarta Talem’s incisive pass from the backline. India continued to put pressure on Thailand and entered the shooting circle by repeatedly giving air passes. Soon after, Talem received a dashing pass down the left wing, and Arshdeep Singh was alert to push the ball into the goal after a save from Thailand goalkeeper Thawin Phomjant. With five minutes left in the quarter, India were awarded a penalty corner and Sharda Nand Tiwari pulled the ball past Thailand’s defence, making it 3–0.
Just a few minutes into the second quarter, Gurjot deflected Arijit’s shot past the keeper to hit the boards and seal India’s possession of the game. While Thailand were still getting together, Saurabh pounced on the rebound from a close-range shot and lifted it over the keeper to make the score 5–0. Dilraj was close to getting his name on the scoresheet as he picked up a deflected ball in the circle and beat the keeper with a reverse shot from the top of the circle. India’s dominance continued as they pinned the ball in Thailand’s half and went in search of the second goal. In the 24th minute, Arijit dodged several defenders in the circle and fired a brilliant reverse shot into the top left corner. With a little over half a minute remaining, Amir was awarded a penalty stroke and Rohit made it 8-0 with a low and powerful shot from the spot.
India created several chances in the third quarter but missed the finishing touch. Thailand moved into the game with more possession and territory but failed to threaten the Indian goal. Gurjot tested the keeper with a reverse shot from the center of the circle on the ninth minute, but could not beat it. India maintained possession and pushed Thailand back, but their defense thwarted every advance until Roshan Kujur found Gurjot Singh, who put the ball into the goal, giving India the lead with seconds remaining in the third quarter. The score became 9-0.
In the final quarter, India showed more patience in their build-up, with Manmeet, Arijit, Dilraj and other Indian forwards constantly threatening to score. In the 52nd minute, Saurabh gave the finishing touch and scored the 10th goal for India by deflecting Aamir’s pass from the left wing. Maintaining complete control of the ball and displaying exemplary defence, India continued to search for another goal. As the game ended, Mukesh found himself unmarked in the circle and fired the ball into the goal, sealing India’s 11–0 win.
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Hindusthan News / Akash Kumar Rai
