Johor Bahru (Malaysia): The Indian junior men’s hockey team lost 1-2 to Great Britain in a hard-fought encounter here Saturday, thereby failing to qualify for the final of the Vth Sultan of Johor Cup. India will now play the bronze medal play-off match Sunday against hosts Malaysia.
Raushan Kumar’s goal in the 25th minute was not enough for India to win the match as Tom Sorsby (20th minute) and Jack Waller (52nd minute) helped Great Britain in qualifying for the final of the tournament.
Great Britain attacked from the start and never allowed the Indians to settle down. India got a penalty corner also late into the first quarter. However, Pradip Lakra’s shot was well- saved by Great Britain’s goalkeeper Chris Wyver.
In the second quarter, Great Britain earned three penalty corners in succession. Sorsby converted the third beating Pankaj Rajak under the Indian goal with a rasping shot.
India restored parity off a combined move. Maninder Singh found Dilpreet Singh just outside the circle with a calculated pass and the latter’s, shot was deflected into the Great Britain goal by Raushan.
Great Britain however, had the last laugh when Jack Waller hit the target from the sixth penalty corner, his side got.
The Indian eves started off on a rousing note in the Women’s Asia Cup 2017 with a dominating 10-0 win over Japan at Kakamigahara, Japan.
Navneet Kaur (third & 41st minutes), Rani (15th & 18th) and Navjot Kaur (30th & 50th) scored twice each, while Lalremsiami (18th), Deep Grace Ekka (25th), Gurjit Kaur (41st) and Sonika (45th) got the other goals in the Pool A game.
The eves started on a positive note and in the first quarter were 2-0 up courtesy Navneet and Rani’s strikers. They added four more goals in the second quarter to stamp their authority on the game.
Press Trust of India
