Lucknow, Dec 16:
Favourites India came from a goal down to pip Australia by 4-2 via shootout in a thrilling contest and enter the final of the men’s Junior Hockey World Cup after a hiatus of 15 years in front of a packed Major Dhyan Chand Astroturf Stadium here today.
India, who last won the Junior World Cup way back in 2001 in Hobart, are on a mission to reclaim the title and will face Belgium in the summit clash on Sunday.
The hosts scored two skillful field goals in the second half through Gurjant Singh (42nd minute) and Mandeep Singh (48th) after Australia took the lead through Tom Craig (14th).
But just when it was time to close out the game, the Indian defence conceded a soft goal and Lachlan Sharp (57th) drew level for Australia to take the match into shoot-out after both the teams were locked at 2-2 at the end of regulation time.
In the shoot-out, goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya rose to the occasion and made two fantastic saves to deny Australia’s Matthew Bird and Sharp.
The Indians, on the other hand, were clinical in the shoot-out with skipper Harjeet Singh, Harmanpreet Singh, Sumit and Manpreet (Jr) finding the back of the net past the Australian custodian.
Earlier today, India’s final opponents Belgium stunned six-time champions and title holders Germany 4-3 in the shootout in the first semifinal to enter the tournament final for the first time.
Belgium rode on their goalkeeper Loic van Doren’s superb display in the shoot-out to register the upset win after the two teams failed to break the deadlock in regulation 70 minutes.
Van Doren made two brilliant saves in the shoot-out to deny Germany’s Philip Schimid and Tim Herzbruch. (PTI)
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