Muscat: India’s sub-junior men’s hockey team produced a clinical display to defeat arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 and clinch the gold medal in the FIH Youth Hockey5s Asian Championship in Oman on Saturday.
India remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and, with the title triumph, also sealed qualification for next year’s FIH Youth Hockey5s World Cup.
Romit Pal, captain Ketan Kushwaha and Shah Rukh Ali scored a goal each as India outplayed Pakistan to lift the continental crown in emphatic fashion.
The Indian youngsters dominated the contest from the opening whistle, keeping Pakistan under relentless pressure with their swift passing, disciplined defending and complete control of the game.
India struck twice in the fifth and 12th minutes before Shah Rukh Ali added the third goal in the 13th minute. Pakistan’s Mohammad Usman reduced the margin in the 16th minute, but it proved to be only a consolation as any hopes of a comeback had already vanished.
India’s women’s team, meanwhile, had to settle for the silver medal after suffering defeat against China in the final of the same tournament.
