In a stunning display of skill and teamwork, the Indian junior men’s hockey team triumphed over Thailand with a commanding 11-0 victory in their opening match of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 in Muscat on Thursday.
The match saw several standout performances. Araijeet Singh Hundal scored twice (2′ and 24′), while Sourabh Anand Kushwaha (19′ and 52′) and Gurjot Singh (18′ and 45′) each netted a brace. Other goal-scorers included Arshdeep Singh (8′), Sharda Nand Tiwari (10′), Dilraj Singh (21′), Rohit (29′), and Mukesh Toppo (59′).
From the very first whistle, India dominated possession and quickly set the tone. Araijeet Singh Hundal opened the scoring with a reverse shot from the left wing, following a precise pass from Priyobarta Talem. The relentless Indian attack continued as Arshdeep Singh added another goal, reacting quickly to a rebound after a save by Thailand’s goalkeeper, Thawin Phomjunt.
India was awarded a penalty corner shortly after, and Sharda Nand Tiwari made no mistake, converting it to give India a 3-0 lead. The team’s offensive pressure remained high as they continued to push into Thailand’s defensive half. Gurjot Singh then deflected Araijeet’s shot into the net to extend the lead, and Sourabh Anand Kushwaha added another from close range, making it 5-0.
As the second quarter progressed, Dilraj Singh capitalized on a deflected ball to score with a reverse shot, further widening the gap. Araijeet found the top left corner with another stunning reverse shot in the 24th minute, bringing the score to 7-0. Just before halftime, Rohit slotted home a penalty stroke, pushing India’s lead to 8-0.
Despite creating multiple chances in the third quarter, India couldn’t find the back of the net, although Thailand struggled to break through the Indian defense. With seconds left in the quarter, Gurjot Singh deflected a ball past the Thai goalkeeper, making it 9-0.
The final quarter saw India maintain their control. Sourabh added another goal in the 52nd minute after deflecting a pass from Amir, bringing the score to 10-0. In the dying moments of the game, Mukesh Toppo sealed the deal with a powerful shot into an unguarded goal, securing an 11-0 victory for India.
The Indian team’s solid defense and clinical attacking play highlighted their superiority throughout the match, as they put on an impressive performance to start their campaign in the 2024 Men’s Junior Asia Cup.
