Junior Hockey Asia Cup: India clinch victory in final against Pakistan

Pakistan defeated by India in the final of the men's Junior Hockey Asia Cup 2024 on Wednesday as Araijeet Singh Hundal smashed four goals, leading his side to a victorious score of 5-3 in Muscat. 

Pakistan gained an early lead just three minutes into the game against arch rivals through captain Hannan Shahid. 

The lead, however, turned out to be short lived as India's star of the game, Hundal, scored a goal the next minute and ended the first quarter at the score of 1-1. 

India completely dominated the proceedings in the second quarter as the defending champions struck back-to-back goals through Dilraj Singh and Hundal in the 18th and 19th minute, respectively, to take a 3-1 lead.

Pakistan hit back in the penultimate quarter and levelled the score at 3-3, courtesy of Sufiyan Khan's brace, coming in 30th and 39th minute, respectively.

The fourth and final quarter saw the defending champions outclassing Pakistan by scoring two goals, through Hundal, which turned out to be the difference in their score lines.

Notably, both Pakistan and India entered the final on the back of an unbeaten run in the group stage and semi-final.

It was India's third consecutive title victory at the men's Junior Hockey Asia Cup.

The Men in Blue defeated Pakistan in the final of previous edition as well.