The Indian junior men’s hockey team gave all Indians and hockey lovers another moment of joy by winning the Sultan of Johor Cup for the third time. The junior team were against Australia in the tenth edition of the tournament.
This win broke India’s long wait for the third title. The last time they won the Sultan of Johor cup was in 2014.
The two teams were at 1-1 after the completion of regulation time. It required 9 penalty attempts to decide the winner and India emerged victorious eventually.
India won the shootout 5-4 to win their third Sultan of Johor Cup title.
Here is the match replay.
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First Half
India started with the first pushback of the final. The sense of the final was already getting seen as both sides were playing with high intensity. Australia did try to attack the Indian net but Mohith Shashikumar pulled off a good save.
Australians were pretty much controlling the game at the starting exchange. It was captain Uttam Singh and Boby Singh Dhami who tried to push India forward.
Eventually, the efforts paid off as India opened the account with the help of Sudeep Chirmako in the 14th minute. It was now 1-0 in India’s favour.
The Indian team was looking to take advantage of the lead and solidify it further. They began with an attack and for most of the quarter, they were in Australia’s half.
As the quarter progressed, Australia’s quest for the equaliser intensified. Although India did well in most of the quarter to defend, Jack Holland eventually broke past India’s barrier in the 29th minute.
It was 1-1 after the end of halftime.
Second Half: No further goals
Both sides were very cautious in the second half and were not allowing each other any space. India did come near to take the edge with help of Chirmako but Australia did well to save themselves. After an intense battle, the quarter ended without further goals.
In the final quarter, both teams tried to take the driver’s seat and edge past each other. The quarter was a very entertaining display of skill and battle of the teams. As the quarter was coming to end, the attacks increased but the quarter ended with both teams at 1-1.
Shootout
Now it was the time for the shootout. Australia took the first shot with Cooper Burns. However, he was unable to goal as Mohith Shashikumar kept him out. India began with Vishnukant Singh, who started with a bang, lifting it over the keeper calmly to the net.
It was Liam Hart who opened the Australian account in the shootout. Next in was Sudeep Chirmako who shot wide. After the first two shots, the scoreline read 1-1.
Mohith stopped Jayden Atkinson’s hit and then Uttam Singh converted his shot into the goal with the help of Sharda Nand Tiwari, taking India to a 2-1 lead. Now it was Joshua Brooks for Australia who made it 2-2. Boby Singh Dhami failed to convert his chance and could not put India ahead.
Now Brodee Foster made it 3-2 in favour of Australia. Ankit Pal hit an equaliser to make it 3-3. Now the game was in sudden death.
Sudden Death: India claims the cup
In sudden death, it was Vishnukant Singh who went first however he failed to capitalize his chance. Liam Hart couldn’t do anything different and he missed as well. It was Uttam who gave India a 4-3 lead. Burns didn’t take long to make it 4 all.
Dhami once again missed his attempt and then Foster hit it wide. Nobody could have asked for a better final as it was going towards a dramatic final. It was now a battle of keeping nerves.
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Chirmako held his temperament and made it 5-4. Joshua Brooks’ miss his shot confirming India’s third title of the Sultan of Johor Cup title.
This win broke India’s long wait for the third title. The last time they won the Sultan of Johor cup was in 2014.
Hockey India has announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakhs for each player and Rs 1 lakh for the staff.
