Hockey India announces cash prizes after India's win in Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024

The Indian junior men's hockey team successfully defended its title by defeating arch-rivals Pakistan by a 5-3 scoreline in a high-scoring final of the Men's Junior Asia Cup in Muscat, Oman on Wednesday. Hockey India has announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakh to each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff for their impeccable defense of the title and stellar performance in the Men's Junior Asia Cup. Arajit Singh Hundal (4', 18', 47', 54') showed top form for India and Dilraj Singh (19') joined him on the scoresheet with two goals. On the other hand, Pakistan captain Shahid Hannan (3') and Sufiyan Khan (30', 39') tried their best to keep their team in the final for most of the game.

India has won the trophy a record five times in this tournament so far, including their previous wins in 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004.

While India were settling into the game, Pakistan captain Shahid Hannan pounced on a stray ball in the shooting circle and stole a goal for Pakistan by beating Bikramjit Singh one-on-one.

India immediately responded by earning a penalty corner (PC) and Arijit Singh Hundal fired a powerful drag flick into the right top corner to restore parity in the final. Both teams entered the circle, but could not find the back of the net until the end of the first quarter.

Within three minutes of the second quarter, India got another penalty corner and Arajit stepped up again, finding the gap between Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua and the post-man with a powerful drag flick to give India the lead.

Thereafter, the Indian forwards continuously put pressure on the Pakistan defence. Soon, Dilraj dodged two defenders on the left wing and hit the board, taking India's lead to 3-1. Although Pakistan made sporadic attacks on the Indian goal and earned a penalty corner at the end of the first half, Sufiyan Khan displayed his drag-flicking skills to beat Bikramjit Singh through the net to make the score 3–2.

As soon as the third quarter started, Arajit created two consecutive chances but Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua made amazing saves on both the occasions to keep Pakistan in the match. The two teams went back and forth until, with six minutes left in the quarter, Sufiyan Khan headed the ball into the Indian goal from a penalty corner, ensuring that Pakistan went into the final quarter with the score level. .

India took the initiative as soon as the last quarter started. Manmeet Singh skilfully got past his marker and found an Arijit in front of goal, who fired the ball into the net to restore India's lead and complete his hat-trick. With ten minutes remaining, Zikriya Hayat launched a counter-attack, but Indian goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh sprinted to prevent any further danger.

With six minutes left in the game, India were awarded a penalty corner and used a variation to free Arijit, who fired the ball into the top right corner with his flick, making it 5–3 for India. As the game was nearing the end, Hannan Shahid created a crucial goal-scoring opportunity, but Prince remained resolute in the deep, saving the effort and sealing India's victory.