India Escape Japan Scare With Last-Minute Equaliser

After opening their Junior Asia Cup campaign with a massive 14-0 win over Indonesia, India’s men’s junior hockey team were pushed hard by Japan on Sunday. India eventually escaped with a 3-3 draw in their Pool A encounter after captain Anmol converted a penalty corner with just 59 seconds remaining. Anmol had earlier opened the scoring from a penalty stroke in the fourth minute, while Ashu Maurya doubled India’s lead in the 10th minute. Japan responded immediately through Ryushin Sasaki in the 11th minute. After a goalless middle phase, Japan captain Nakanishi scored in the 48th and 59th minutes to put his team ahead. India earned a late penalty corner, and Anmol made no mistake to rescue a point. India will next face Korea on Tuesday.

India’s women’s junior team, meanwhile, continued their impressive campaign with an emphatic 11-1 victory over Malaysia. The Indian side dominated from the opening minute and maintained its attacking intensity throughout the match. Pooja Saho, Purnima Yadav, Geeta Yadav and Sanika Mane scored two goals each, while Binima Dhan, Krishna Sharma and Sukhveer Kaur added one apiece. Malaysia’s only goal came from Noor Mohammad in the 38th minute. The victory marked India’s second consecutive win in the women’s Junior Asia Cup.