New Delhi: Indian colts defeated host Bangladesh 5-4 to win the Under-18 Asia Cup hockey tournament on Friday at the Maulana Bhashani National Hockey Stadium, Dhaka.
India thus exacted their 4-5 loss to the host in last Saturday’s opening match of the fourth edition of the tournament. According to Hockey India, the winning goal in the final 20 seconds of the match.
Yesterday, the Nilam Sanjeep Xess-led side defeated arch-rivals Pakistan 3-1 to make the final. Hosts Bangladesh, competing in the tournament after 15 years, beat Chinese Taipei 6-1 to reach their maiden final. Vice captain Hardik Singh was adjudged Man of the Match.
India had won the inaugural tournament in 2001. (ALSO READ: Indian hockey team thrashes Pakistan 3-1 to enter U-18 Asia Cup final)
After conceding the first goal, India struck immediately to level the score 1-1 at half-time. India then took a two-goal lead as soon as the third quarter started, only to see the score level at 3-3.
The script continue as India's lead was once again neutralized by a spirited Bangladeshi side, in a front of buoyant home crowd.
But India scored the all-important fifth goal in the dying seconds of the match.
Soon after the match, Union Sports Minister Vijay Goel took to Twitter to congratulate the team.
#India win a thrilling final against #Bangladesh in the Under-18 Asia Cup #hockey by 5-4. Congratulations team! इस जीत पर बहुत बहुत बधाई !
— Vijay Goel (@VijayGoelBJP) September 30, 2016
Home Minister Rajnath Singh was congratulated the team. He wrote, "Happy to see the future of Indian hockey in safe hands."
Congratulations to Indian U-18 Hockey team on winning the Asia Cup finals in Dhaka. Happy to see the future of Indian hockey in safe hands.
— Rajnath Singh (@rajnathsingh) September 30, 2016
Indian men's hockey captain PR Sreejesh tweeted
Congratulation @TheHockeyIndia for winning the U-18 Asia cup #proud #hockey #brothers #deshkagame #deshkeliye pic.twitter.com/NhLeCz4KBp
— sreejesh p r (@16Sreejesh) September 30, 2016
