Malaysia lifted the first title of Junior Asia Hockey Cup after defeating Pakistan in a thrilling final on Sunday. At the end of first half of the match Malaysia dominated Pakistan with two goals, but in the second half Pakistan managed to throw the ball into net one time. The title that came Malaysia hockey way after 20 years was all due to the man under the bar who stood there like a wall and did not let the Pakistan forwards pass the ball though him, until Mohammad Irfan found an open space in the 47th minute of the match. Although Malaysia is holding hockey events regularly but none of their hockey teams won any title in the past two decades.
Malaysia became the Junior Asia Hockey champion created history after it led Pakistan 2-0 by the first half. Faizal Saari scored the opening goal in the 2nd minute and was doubled by Mohammad Yusaf in the 17th minute. The win was a combination of the good work of the Malaysian forwards and their defence which kept attacking Pakistan danger zone and on the other hand maintained solid guard at the back.
Earlier, India beat South Korea 2-1 courtesy a golden goal to win a bronze medal in the seventh edition of the Junior Cup at MBM Stadium on Sunday.
Tied 1-1 at the end of the final hooter, Indian skipper Akashdeep Singh scored the golden goal to give the Indian team the medal.
India and South Korea both played a defensive game, but Korea took the lead thanks to You Seungji in the 47th minute through a penalty corner. In an attempt to level the score, India started pressing and made some good penetrations into the circle and seven minutes later Lokesh Thimmana scored the leveller. It was Lokesh again who showed a clean pair of heels to the defenders in taking the ball into the circle in the second session of extra time to set up his captain.
Indian defence and midfield was compact with vice-Captain Amit Rohidas, Sukhmanjit Singh, Pardeep More and Harjeet Singh all putting in a good performance.
