India Retains Junior’s Asia Hockey Cup

article written by paramjeet.

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Victory It was, once again drag-flicker Diwakar Ram who played a crucial role in India’s emphatic and dramatic win over the strong team of South Korea. Diwakar had scored two successive goals against the arch-rival Pakistan in the semifinal match played in New Delhi on July 16 in the second half of the game. On the basis of his goals India had entered once again in the final of the Asia Junior Hockey Cup.

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First Session Till the 52nd minute of the game, India was trailing behind Koreans with the margin on two goals. Diwakar Ram once again showed his class by scoring two important goals that stunned the Koreans and took the game away from them. Koreans had dominated through whole of the first session of the match with their speed and stick work. They attacked from both of the sides but it was goalkeeper Sreejesh who stunned the Koreans with a couple of good saves.

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2nd Session During the first session performance of the Indians was very lackluster as compared to the well organized and well planned game plan of the Koreans. Indians missed two golden chances of scoring goals and made many defensive lapses that resulted in Koreans scoring a goal in the seventh minute of the game. They scored their second goal in the 52nd minute of the second half. India reduced the margin in the 59th minute with Sunil’s free hit. In the 62nd minute of the match Diwakar scored the equalizer goal by converting a penalty corner.

Extra Time It was only in the extra time that the winner of the tournament could be decided. Supported by the home crowd, Indians entered into the extra time with a changed body language and confidence. Diwakar once again showed his brilliance by scoring the match wining goal with which, he also emerged as the top goal scored in the tournament. Korea’s Nam Hyan Woo scored 10 goals throughout the tournament including both of his goals scored for his team in the final. With his performance throughout whole of the tournament Diwakar has emerged as a star in the Indian hockey. He has emerged as an exceptional drag-flicker that India needed for a long time.

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