Varun scores brace in India’s 3-0 win

Marlow (England), July 27 

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Varun Kumar scored a brace as the India junior men’s hockey team beat Hampstead and Westminster 3-0 at the Bisham Abbey Sports Centre here today.

A cautious start to the game meant both teams played the ball in the midfield. India’s first real chance came via a counterattack, but the visitors failed to convert. The opportunity galvanised the Indians. They started using the flanks to create chances. Unfortunately, they weren’t being translated into goals.

With the halftime approaching, Ajay Pandey scored the opener to give India the lead.

In the second half, Simranjeet Singh and Nilakanta Sharma had two quick chances denied by Hampstead & Westminster’s goalkeeper before Varun converted a penalty corner to give India a 2-0 lead.

Hampstead & Westminster soon started exerting pressure on the Indian defence, controlling the ball and creating chances. India’s defence held strong and playing on the counter the team kept creating chances. With ten minutes left, India had another penalty corner and Varun completed his brace.

India held on strong in the final minutes, defending well to ensure that they got their first clean sheet of the tour. — PTI