Araijeet Singh Hundal scored four goals as reigning champions India overcame archrivals Pakistan 5-3 in the men’s junior Asia Cup final in Muscat on Wednesday, completing a hat-trick of titles. This was India’s sixth title in the continental event, following victories in 2004, 2008, 2015, and 2023. The competition was canceled in 2021 owing to the COVID-19 epidemic. Araijeet took three punishment corners at the fourth, 18th, and 54th in a matter of minutes and also scored from a field effort during the 47th minute. Dilraj Singh (19th tone) was the other score scorer over India.
Sufyan Khan (30th, 39th) converted two penalty corners for Pakistan, and Hannan Shahid scored in the third minute from the field. Earlier that day, Japan defeated Malaysia 2-1 to take third place.
In the first quarter, there needed to be more to distinguish between India and Pakistan as both teams competed hard for ball possession. The first quarter’s highlight was using Ariel passes by both teams.
But Pakistan had the first laugh, scoring in the third minute with a field goal from Shahid. India did not sit back and earned their first penalty corner seconds later, with Araijeet stepping up to equalize with a tremendous drag-flick to the right of Pakistan’s goalkeeper.
India improved their game in the second quarter, securing their second penalty corner in the 18th minute, and Araijeet scored again with a strong flick. A minute later, Dilraj’s excellent field goal increased India’s advantage to 3-1.
On the other hand, Pakistan cut the lead in the 30th minute when Sufyan converted a penalty corner. After the change of ends, Pakistan was the better side on display, and Sufyan converted another penalty corner in the 39th minute to tie the game.