Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024: Araijeet Singh Hundal's four goals power India to hat-trick of titles

Dilraj Singh scored the other goal India in their title win at the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024.

The Indian junior men’s hockey team beat Pakistan 5-3 in the high scoring final of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024 today in Muscat, Oman to successfully defend their title today. Araijeet Singh Hundal (4’, 18’, 47’, 54’) was in top form for India and Dilraj Singh (19’) scored a goal to join him on the scoresheet.

Pakistan’s captain Shahid Hannan (3’) and Sufyan Khan (30’, 39’) did their utmost to keep their team in the tie for the majority of the game.

India has now won this tournament for a record five times, including their previous triumphs in 2023, 2015, 2008 and 2004. Hockey India, on this occasion, announced a cash reward of Rs 2 lakhs to each player and Rs 1 lakh to each support staff for their impeccable title defence and dominating performances in the Men’s Junior Asia Cup 2024.

CHAMPIONS OF ASIA!! 👑🏆🏆Indian junior men's hockey team successfully defends its title at the Men's Junior Asia Cup 2024 by beating arch-rivals Pakistan🇵🇰 5-3 in the final. 🇮🇳🥳#Hockey #MensJuniorAsiaCup24 pic.twitter.com/fSblLahTnh

— Khel Now (@KhelNow) December 4, 2024

While PR Sreejesh’s boys were still settling into the game, Pakistan captain Shahid Hannan pounced on a stray ball in the shooting circle and beat Bikramjeet Singh in a one on one to put last edition’s runners-up ahead in the match.

The Blue Colts responded immediately by earning a penalty corner and Araijeet Singh Hundal unleashed a powerful drag flick to the right top corner to restore parity. Both teams went on to trade circle entries without finding the back of the net till the end of the first quarter.

Within three minutes of the second quarter, India were awarded another penalty corner and Araijeet stepped up again, finding the gap between Pakistan goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua and the post man with a thunderous drag flick to give India the lead. Following this, the Indian forwards relentlessly pressured Pakistan’s defense.

Soon, Dilraj weaved past two defenders on the left wing and struck the board, extending India’s lead to 3-1. Although Pakistan mounted occasional attacks on the Indian goal and earned a penalty corner as the first half came to a close, Sufyan Khan showcased his drag flicking skills, beating Bikramjit Singh in goal to make it 3-2.

Araijeet created two chances in quick succession as the third quarter began but Pakistan’s goalkeeper Muhammad Janjua pulled out amazing saves on both occasions to keep Pakistan in the match. Both teams went back and forth until Sufyan Khan, with six minutes left in the quarter, flicked the ball into the Indian goal from a penalty corner and ensured Pakistan headed into the last quarter, level on score.

As soon as the last quarter began, India seized the initiative. Manmeet Singh skillfully maneuvered past his marker and found an unmarked Araijeet in front of the goal, who deflected the ball into goal to restore India’s lead and complete his hat-trick. With 10 minutes to go, Zikriya Hayat embarked on a counter-attack, but Indian goalie Prince Deep Singh rushed out to avert any further danger.

And with six minutes left in the game, India earned a penalty corner and employed a variation to free up Araijeet, who smashed the ball into the top right corner with his flick, making it 5-3 for India. As the game headed to a close, Hannan Shahid carved out a significant goal-scoring opportunity, but Prince Deep stood firm in goal, swatting away the attempt and sealing India’s victory.

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