Junior Men's Asia Cup: India beat Pakistan 2-1 in final to clinch fourth title, becomes most successful team

India became the most successful team after they beat Pakistan 2-1 in the final to clinch its fourth title in the Junior Men"s Asia Cup.

Sports    02-Jun-2023
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New Delhi, June 2: In a hugely proud moment for India, the Indian hockey team, in a nail-biting match, defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 2-1 in the final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2023 in Salalah, Oman.
 
India in Junior Men's Asia Cup
Playing in front of a near-capacity crowd at the Salalah Sports Complex, both teams looked threatening from the start but Angad Bir Singh’s strike in the 13th minute helped India get on the scoresheet.
 
Araijeet Singh Hundal, India’s top-scorer at Men’s Junior Asia Cup hockey 2023 with eight goals, doubled the lead five minutes into the second quarter.
 
 
This was India’s fourth title at Men's Junior Asia Cup, having won it previously in 2004, 2008 and 2015. Pakistan are the second-most successful team in the tournament with three titles but their last win came 27 years ago in 1996.
 
Earlier, India and Pakistan, pitted in the same pool, remained undefeated in the group stage after the India vs Pakistan hockey match ended in a 1-1 draw. India, however, managed to top the group as they had a better goal difference over second-placed Pakistan.
 
In the semi-finals, India trounced the Republic of Korea 9-1 while Pakistan defeated Malaysia 6-2. The Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament in Oman was held after eight years. The 2021 edition was cancelled due to COVID-19