AMN / Johor Bahru (Malaysia)
Playing fast and aggressive game India routed New Zealand 8-2 in their second successive victory in the 9th Sultan of Johor Cup junior hockey here on Sunday
Sanjay (17′, 22′), Dilpreet Singh (6′), Shilanand Lakra (14′), Mandeep Mor (22′), Suman Beck (45′), Pratap Lakra (50′) and Sudeep Chirmako (51′) scored for India, while Dylan Thomas (28′, 44′) chipped in with a goal each for New Zealand.
India started the first quarter on an aggressive note, earning a Penalty Corner in the second minute of the match. The Kiwi defenders blocked out the attack. However four minutes later Dilpreet Singh put India in the lead with a superb goal.
India continued to put pressure on therival’s defence and that paid dividends when Shilanand Lakra found the back of the net in the 14th minute.
India rode on the momentum and struck their third goal at the start of the second quarter as Sanjay found the breakthrough in the 17th minute. New Zealand fought back and earned a Penalty Corner soon after, but could not beat the defense
The winners kept making moves and find openings as captain Mandeep Mor slotted India’s fourth goal in the 20th minute. India earned another penalty corner a couple of minutes later and it was y converted by Sanjay to put India in a dominant position (5-0).
New Zealand managed to pull one goal back when they earned a penalty corner in the last few minutes of the second quarter. Dylan Thomas got on the board in the 28th minute (1-5).
New Zealand found some momentum and made a few more inroads into the Indian half in the third quarter. Dylan Thomas found the back of the net yet again as New Zealand reduced the gap in the scoreline. However, in the next minute, the Indians carried out a counter-attack and scored their sixth goal through Suman Beck in the 45th minute (6-2)
India had a great chance to scored their seventh goal when they were awarded a penalty Stroke, however, the New Zealand Goalkeeper pulled off a great save.
Pratap Lakra struck seventh goal in the 50th minute. Soon after, Uttam Singh made a brilliant run and set up Sudeep Chirmako, who scored the eighth goal.