While the Pakistan Junior Hockey team is preparing in India for the upcoming Junior World Cup, the Indian junior men's hockey team yesterday notched up an emphatic 5-2 victory over Germany to clinch the 4 Nations Invitational Tournament.
Right from the start, it was India who were on the front foot, and Parvinder Singh's 10th-minute goal only confirmed that fact. They doubled the lead with brilliant strikes from Armaan Qureshi in the 22nd minute, to head into halftime with a comfortable lead.
Also read: Asian Champions Trophy 2016: India crowned champions after defeating Pakistan 3-2 in finals
The Men in Blue dictated the terms of play, forcing Germany to defend for large parts of the game. Gurjant Singh (40') and Varun Kumar (44') scored in quick succession to turn the game into a purely academic exercise as India notched up a four-goal lead.
Germany start their comeback against the Indians
But Germany soon got a goal back in the 46th minute through Philip Schmid. The German took up on the scoring duties as he converted another penalty corner in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit. India, however, held onto their nerves, as Simranjeet Singh put the final nail in the coffin in the 69th minute to give them the title.
Also read: Pakistan Hockey team congratulates India on their Asian Champions Trophy victory
The Indians also clinched other laurels as Harmanpreet Singh was named the best player of the tournament with Varun Kumar topping the leaderboard.
It was double exhilaration for the Men in Blue on the eve of Diwali as Hockey India announced announce Rs. 1 lakh prize money to each of the players and coach Harinder Singh, and a further Rs 50,000 to the support staff for their performance.
The victory will give them a morale boost as they next prepare themselves for the Junior World Cup to be held from 8-18 December.
