Lucknow: Favourites India came from a goal down to pip Australia 4-2 (2-2 in regulation time) via shootout in a thrilling contest and enter the final of the men’s Junior Hockey World Cup after a hiatus of 15 years in front of a packed Major Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium here Friday.
The hosts will meet Belgium who stunned defending champions Germany in another shootout 4-3, after regulation time had failed to produce a single goal.
India scored through Gurjant Singh (42nd minute) and Mandeep Singh (48th) after Australia took the lead through Tom Craig (14th). But just when it was time to close out the game, the Indian defence conceded a soft goal and Lachlan Sharp (57th) drew level for Australia to take the match into the tie-breaker.
In the shootout, goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya rose to the occasion and made two fantastic saves to deny Australia’s Matthew Bird and Sharp. The Indians, on the other hand, were clinical in the shoot-out with skipper Harjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit and Manpreet (Jr) finding the back of the net past the Australian custodian.
In spite of India dominating the exchanges in the first half, it was Australia who took the lead against the run of play. They scored from the first penalty corner they got, with Craig sounding the boards.
The hosts had their best opportunity of the opening half in the 33rd when Varun’s long scoop from deep found Simranjeet Singh unmarked inside the circle after an Australian defender fumbled, but the striker pushed wide with only the rival custodian to beat.
Trailing by a goal, India went all out in attack in the second half and their efforts bore fruit in the 42nd minute through a fierce reverse shot strike from Gurjant from a tight angle after he was set up by Simranjeet’s brilliant play.
Pumped up by the equaliser, the Indians went for the kill and six minutes later took the lead through Mandeep, who scored his third goal of the tournament. He played a one-two with Nilkanta Singh to slice through the rival defence before unleashing a reverse hit to beat the Aussie custodian all ends up.
Press Trust of India
