India vs Pakistan Final Highlights, Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024: Arjiit Singh Hundal stars with four goals

Hello and welcome to Khel Now’s live blog for the India vs Pakistan match in Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024. Please wait for the blog to load.

In a repeat of last year’s final, the Indian junior men’s hockey team will face Pakistan in the title match of Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024. India, coached by legendary PR Sreejesh, beat Malaysia to qualify for the final while Pakistan defeated Japan to advance. This will be the fifth time both teams will meet in the summit match.

India are the two-time defending champions and four-time previous winners of the tournament while Pakistan have lifted it thrice, making both teams the two most successful teams in the competition’s history. However, India are ahead by a margin when it comes to head-to-head between both teams in tournament finals.

India vs Pakistan in Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024!! 🇮🇳 🇵🇰In a repeat of last year's final, India and Pakistan meet again in the title clash. 🏆Good Luck Boys 💙💪#Hockey #INDvsPAK #MensJuniorAsiaCup24 pic.twitter.com/ZntiXGrxtG

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) December 4, 2024

The Blue Colts not only defeated their arch-rivals 2-1 in last year’s final but have also beaten them in two previous title matches. India hammered Pakistan 6-2 in the 2015 final while they had also won 5-2 in 2004. Pakistan for their part beat India in the 1996 final.

India beat Malaysia in semifinals

The Indian junior men’s hockey team took on Malaysia in the semi-final of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 against Korea today in Muscat, Oman and defeated them 3-2 to advance to the Final. Dilraj Singh (10’), Rohit (45’) and Sharda Nand Tiwari (52’) found the back of the net for India in the tie while Kamaruddin Azimuddin(57’) scored a consolation goal towards the end of the game.

Malaysia started the game on the front foot, quickly earning a penalty corner. However, the Indian defence stood firm. Moments later, captain Che Nur Aqilrullah forced India’s goalkeeper Bikramjeet into action with a powerful shot. The growing pressure resulted in another penalty corner, but once again, Kamaruddin Azimuddin’s flick was saved.

PR Sreejesh’s boys looked to transition quickly from defence, and in the 10th minute, Araijeet Singh Hundal found Dilraj Singh in the shooting circle. Dilraj turned around and, while off balance, bypassed the Malaysian goalkeeper Mohamad Rafaizul with a powerful shot to grant India the lead.

Malaysia didn’t show any signs of discouragement as they took the pitch in the second quarter and maintained their grip in the game, earning a couple of penalty corners but India bayed their advances and continued to threaten with frequent counter attacks.

The Indian junior men’s hockey team forwards Araijeet and Gurjot Singh were at the end of significant goalscoring opportunities but failed to capitalise and the first half ended 1-0 for India.

India pushed forward to double their lead in the third quarter, but Malaysia closely marked all Indian players and fought for every loose ball to keep the tie within their reach. Halfway through the quarter, Malaysia earned a penalty corner, but the shot bounced off the post. India began rotating the ball patiently in search of openings but a yellow card with five minutes left in the quarter meant India had to defend with a man down.

Despite this disadvantage, Malaysia failed to break down the Indian defence and went on to concede a penalty corner in the last second. This time vice-captain Rohit directed a powerful drag flick to the top right corner and made it 2-0 for India.

India took more control as the last quarter began, earning a penalty corner with 10 minutes remaining in the game. However, Mohamad Rafaizul pulled off amazing consecutive saves to keep the ball out of his goal. With eight minutes left in the quarter, Sharda Nand Tiwari pounced on a deflected shot from a penalty corner and unleashed a reverse tomahawk to increase India’s lead further.

Around the three-minute mark, Malaysia earned a penalty stroke, and Kamaruddin Azimuddin beat Prince Deep Singh from the spot to score their first goal. Despite this, India contained Malaysia for the rest of the quarter, sealing a 3-1 victory.

The defending champions will now face off against last year’s runners-up Pakistan once again in the final of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 tomorrow. India had earned a hard fought 2–1 victory against their long-time rivals to clinch the gold medal last time around.

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