Diwakar shines as India retain Junior Asia Cup: Pakistan grab bronze medal
India were trailing 0-2 with just 11 minutes to play but stormed back on level terms with a two-goal burst in a three minute spell before Diwakar Ram snapped up victory by converting a penalty corner, his second goal of the match, in the first period of golden goal extra-time.
Three-times champions Pakistan walloped Japan 7-2 to grab the bronze medal.
Nam Hyun Woo earned two field goals for the 2000 champions, South Korea, drawing the first blood in only the seventh minute and then doubling the margin in the 53rd minute, after his team led 1-0 at half-time.
Woo scored his second goal by deflecting a cross from the right flank as the ball crossed the goal line before Indian goalkeeper Sreejesh scrambled to clear it. Polish umpire Marcin Grochal whistled for the goal.
India looked down and out at that stage of the rousing final of the eight-nation tournament.
But a close range goal by forward S.V. Sunil after a goalmouth melee in the 59th minute brought India right back into contention.
Three minutes later, India were awarded a short corner by Australian umpire Adam Kearns despite vehement protests by the Koreans.
Diwakar Ram, who had fumbled with his two short corner flicks in the first half, netted the equaliser.
Five minutes into the first part of the extra-time, India launched a spirited attack from the right flank and got a short corner which was converted by Diwakar Ram to end the match.
In the third place play-off, Kashif Ali and Haseem Khan shared five goals between them to help Pakistan thrash Japan 7-2.
Kashif scored three while Haseem gave green shirts the flying start with back-to-back goals.
Pakistan took the lead through a field goal from Haseem in the 22nd minute.
Within seven minutes, Haseem again converted an indirect penalty corner to double the lead.
Returning after half time, Pakistan kept up the pressure and their third goal came in the 46th minute through Kashif’s conversion of a penalty corner.
Within four minutes, Mohammad Zubair scored a field goal and Inayatullah scored another in the 52nd minute to take the tally to 5-0.
Kashif scored on two penalty strokes within two minutes to take Pakistan to 7-0 in the 65th minute.
Japan salvaged some pride, scoring their first goal in the 66th minute with Taisuke Ito converting a penalty corner.
Ryoto Kube converted another penalty corner in the 70th minute to give Japan their second goal.
Malaysia beat Bangladesh 1-0 for the fifth position while Oman thrashed Singapore 5-1 for the seventh position.
As finalists of this tournament, both India and South Korea, alongside hosts Malaysia and Singapore, have qualified for next year’s Junior World Cup.
Asian Hockey Federation (AHF) secretary general P. Alagendra had announced on Thursday that the federation would press International Hockey Federation (FIH) to increase the current Asian quota of four teams to six at the world event.
Pakistan must keep their fingers crossed till the FIH takes a decision on the AHF request at its Executive Board meeting during the Beijing Olympics next month.
Results:
Final: India bt South Korea 3-2
3rd place play-off: Pakistan bt Japan 7-2.
5th place play-off: Malaysia bt Bangladesh 1-0
7th place play-off: Oman bt Singapore 5-1.—Agencies