New Delhi: Victorious Indian men’s junior team reached New Delhi late last night after winning the 8th Junior Men Asia Cup on Sunday.
Hockey India Officials and fans accorded a hero’s welcome to the team. Fans with placards and beating of the drums welcomed the team as they exited the airport and were garlanded by Hockey India officials. It was a festive and charged up atmosphere at the airport with fans eagerly trying to get up close and personal with the players and were spotted clicking selfies with their heroes.
India had begun the campaign on a winning note by defeating Japan 2-1 followed by a close match with host Malaysia 5-4. The China match ended with a score line of 4-1. Quarter final encounter with Oman was one-sided with India drubbing them 9-0. Second encounter of the tournament with Japan in the semi-finals saw India strengthening their desire for the cup by defeating them 6-1. A dream final with arch rivals brought the best to the field and Indian juniors romped home comfortably with a score of 6-2 and lifted the cup.
Almost fifty per cent of the goals India sored came from drag flicker Harmanpreet Singh who top scored with 15 goals and was awarded the Top Scorer of the Tournament. Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dhaiya proved his mettle as opposition could barely find the board and took the Best Goalkeeper of the Tournament award.
Hockey India has rewarded the players and the coach with Rs. 1,00,000 each and the support staff with Rs. 50,000 each for the stunning performance.
On arrival, a beaming and proud Coach Indian Junior Men’s Hockey team Harendra Singh, said, “It was a fantastic tournament for us. Our players were in peak form and our on field strategy and tactics helped us to dominate our opposition. We have garnered a lot of learning’s and confidence from our win and will hope to carry the winning momentum into 2016”
