Juniors pip Malaysia 2-1 to win Youth hockey Oly qualifiers

Bangkok, April 29 

The Indian junior men’s team held its nerves to beat Malaysia 2-1 in the shootout to win the Youth Olympic Games Qualifiers. 

The victory will give India a chance to participate in the Youth Olympic Games to be held in Buenos Aires in August. The tournament was played in the new Hockey 5’s format.

In the women’s final, the Salima Tete-led Indian team lost 1-4 to China.

In the men’s final, Malaysia made the first breakthrough when Mohamad Anuar scored in the 11th minute but India equalised in the very next minute through Rahul Kumar Rajbhar. Skipper Vivek Sagar Prasad put India 2-1 ahead with a scintillating field goal in the 14th minute. Muhammad Moharam, however, equalised (2-2) in the 15th minute. India then scored in the 18th and 20th minutes through Prasad and Rajbhar, respectively, taking a 4-2 lead.

However, defensive lapses saw them concede two goals in the 26th and 30th minutes of the second half and it was 4-4 at the end of regulation time. In the shootout, India scored through Rabichandra Moirangthem and Rajbhar while goalie Prashant Chauhan did well to keep the Malaysian attackers from converting as India pulled off a thrilling victory.

Dominant China

In the women’s final, China dominated the proceedings, taking a 4-0 lead in the first quarter. Liu Chencheng (3rd, 4th), Zou Meirong (4th) and Ma Ning (8th) scored to virtually finish off the game. Chetna scored India’s lone goal in the 16th minute. — PTI