India’s Junior Hockey Team re-creates History after a long wait of 15 years, when they play Belgium in the Finals of the Junior Hockey World Cup on Sunday, 18th December.  “It is now upto the players to decided the color of the medal“, said Coach Harendra Singh.

In the Semi Final played at the Maior Dhyanchand Stadium in Lucknow on Friday, the Indian colts defeated their Australian counterparts in the Shoot Out, by 4 goals to 2.   Both teams managed to score 2 goals each in regulation time.  The other Semi Final was also decided on a Shoot Out, after neither team scored a goal in regulation time.  Belgium won the other Semi Final beating 6 time Champion Germany 4 goals to 3.

Jinxed for the last 15 years, after winning the Junior World Cup in 2001, the Indian team had never managed to enter the Finals  since then.

The Shoot Out goals for India were scored by Harjit, Harmanpreet, Sumeet and Manpreet.  Regulation time scorers for India were Gurjant and Mandeep, whose goals led India to the face off in the Shoot Out, which their co-players converted into a resounding victory.

Indian Goal Keeper Vikas Dahiya rose to the occasion, being the guardian of the Indian Goal Post and protecting the post by his excellent and clever goal keeping.  An emotional Harendra Singh asked his players to show their true character on the 18th when they play the most important match of their career.

News Source: PTI

Photos: Indian Express/PTI/DNA