Defending champions India put up a brilliant attacking display to trounce Thailand 17-0 in their final Pool A match in the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman on Sunday.
With the win, the Indian junior men’s hockey team finished the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023 group stage unbeaten and progressed to the semi-finals of the continental tournament.
Angad Bir Singh (13’, 33’, 47’, 55’), Yogember Rawat (17’), Uttam Singh (24’, 31’), Amandeep Lakra (26’, 29’), Araijeet Singh Hundal (36’), Vishnukant Singh (38’), Bobby Singh Dhami (45’), Sharda Nand Tiwari (46’), Amandeep (47’), Rohit (49’), Sunit Lakra (54’) and Rajinder Singh (56’) were the goal scorers for India.
Led by captain Uttam Singh, India began the contest on the front foot but were unable to break through the Thailand defence in the early exchanges. Thailand not only absorbed the pressure but also looked to attack India.
India, however, edged ahead just before the end of the first quarter when Angad Bir Singh found the back of the net.
Early in the second quarter, India captain Uttam Singh eased through the Thailand defence from the right before Yogember Rawat doubled the advantage. Uttam Singh also got on the scoresheet soon after, netting from close range.
A couple of minutes later, Amandeep Lakra smashed home his shot from a penalty corner as the Indian Colts led 4-0 and were showing no signs of slowing down. Soon after, Amandeep Lakra scored his second from a penalty corner and at half-time the Indian junior men’s hockey team led 5-0.
Uttam Singh made it 6-0 in the first minute of the third quarter, rifling the ball into the top corner from the right, and moments later, Angad Bir Singh got his second for the night.
The reigning champions increased the margin as Araijeet Singh Hundal got on the scoresheet courtesy of a powerful hit from the right. India continued to attack, pushing Thailand deep into their half, and the pressure resulted in another goal as Vishnukant Singh got his name on the scoresheet, making it 9-0.
Just before the final break, Bobby Singh Dhami made it 10-0 when he converted a Penalty Corner.
The Indian hockey team let loose in the final quarter and added eight more to the victory margin.
Courtesy the win, India finished the night on top of the Pool A standings with 10 points from four matches. India beat Chinese Taipei and Japan in their opening two matches before holding Pakistan to a 1-1 draw in their last match on Saturday.
Irrespective of the result of the other Pool A match between Pakistan and Japan scheduled on Monday, India are guaranteed a top-two finish in their group and by extension, a place in the semi-finals of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2023.
The semi-finals will be played on Wednesday.
