The Indian junior men’s hockey team put up a stellar evening against Australia to clinch the 10th Sultan of Johor Cup after a tense penalty shootout. The teams were tied 1–1 in regulation time, with nine penalty shots needed to decide the winner.
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India won the shootout 5-4 and won their third Sultan of Johor Cup title.
Australia controlled the proceedings in the opening exchange while skipper Uttam Singh and Bobby Singh Dhami tried to push India ahead. India broke the deadlock via Sudeep Chiramako (14th minute). India were leading 1-0 in the first break.
Trying to take the lead in the second quarter, India started on the front foot, with most of the competition being played in Australia’s half.
As the quarter progressed, Australia’s search for an equalizer intensified, and even though India were absorbing the pressure well, Jack Holland (29th minute) scored. India and Australia went into the half-time break with the score 1-1.
Both sides returned with a cautious approach for the second half, not eager to allow the opponent any space. In the middle of the quarter, India almost went ahead with Sudeep Chiramako, but neither side was able to beat the other, as the quarter ended with a 1-1 scoreline.
In the final quarter, which was played in the presence of the Sultan of Johor, both India and Australia turned up the heat somewhat, making it a very entertaining phase in the game. However, as the final six minutes began, the score was still 1-1.
Both sides gave it their all, but were not able to find the winner in regulation time, as the final went into a penalty shootout.
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