Men's Junior Asia Cup: India thrash Pakistan to become continental champions
‘Massacre’ would be the best way to describe the final of the 8th Men’s Junior Asia Cup as the Indian Colts scored six goals to perennial arch-rivals Pakistan’s two to win the trophy. India didn’t make their trademark fast start but once they did, they were on a rampage.
India’s highest goal-scorer of the tournament, Harmanpreet Singh, wasted no time in using his famed drag-flicking skills to put India ahead 1-0. Harmanpreet would be in the spotlight once again, as he converted another penalty corner in the fifteenth minute to take his tally of goals to a dozen.
Pakistan’s Yaqoob netted one for his team to make it a 2-1 game. But Harmanpreet would complete one more of his many hat-tricks in the tournament to put India ahead 3-1 heading into halftime.
Armaan Qureshi and Manpreet Singh Jr. would get into the act soon, putting India ahead by 4 goals. The gluttonous goal machine Harmanpreet would strike again, as the scales tipped overwhelmingly in India’s favour. Pakistan would salvage some self-respect in the form of Mohammed Dilber’s goal with two minutes left in the game.
The tournament served as a qualifier for the Junior World Cup. All the semi-finalists have now qualified.