Hockey India announces cash prize for Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey winning team

The Indian Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey team beat Pakistan 2-1 in the Junior Asia Cup final in Salalah, Oman to win their fourth overall and first junior continental title in eight years. After that, Hockey India has announced a cash prize of Rs. 2 lakhs for each player and 1 lakh each for support staff members of the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey winning team.

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Hockey India's executive board made the announcement soon after the final match was over. In a release issued by Hockey India, President Dilip Tirkey said, "The team has shown great promise over the past few months, particularly after their historic win at the Sultan of Johor Cup they have become a dominant force and I believe this big win will hold them in good stead for the Junior World Cup later this year. Hockey India has decided to give awards to the players and support staff in recognition of this outstanding performance. I congratulate the team for this achievement."

India has won this title for the fourth time after 2004, 2005, and 2015. While Pakistan has been the champion in 1987, 1992, and 1996. The two teams have met in the finals of the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament three times before. Pakistan won in 1996 while India was victorious in 2004. India won the title by defeating Pakistan 6-2 in the last tournament played in Malaysia.

This time the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament is happening after eight years. It was not organized in 2021 due to the Corona epidemic. India started aggressively and attacked the Pakistani goal in the first quarter itself. Angad Bir Singh got the first success for India in the 12th minute. In the second quarter too, India dominated in terms of ball control. Finishing off a brilliant move by the Indian forward line, Araijeet Singh Hundal scored his second field goal in the 19th minute. This was his eighth goal in the Men's Junior Asia Cup hockey tournament. Before half-time, Pakistan's Abdul Shahid created a golden opportunity. But his shot from the front of the goal was saved by Indian goalkeeper HS Mohith.

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In the second half, the Pakistani team made an aggressive comeback and it paid off in the seventh minute of the third quarter when Abdul Shahid, after passing the Indian defenders from inside the circle, handed the ball to Basharat Ali, who was standing on the right side of the goal, and he beat the Indian goalkeeper and scored. Pakistan got a penalty corner in the 50th minute but the team could not score an equaliser. At the same time, they found two consecutive penalty corners after four minutes but the success did not come to hand.