Valencia: India's junior men's hockey team notched up an emphatic 5-2 win over Germany to win the 4 Nations Invitational Tournament.
A Diwali gift that makes India proud! Here's to the stupendous efforts of our Hockey Heroes on #Diwali 2016, 30 October! pic.twitter.com/kQYdUFy8sI
— Hockey India (@TheHockeyIndia) October 30, 2016
Right from the start it was India who were on the front foot, and Parvinder Singh's 10th minute goal only confirmed that fact. They doubled the lead via Armaan Qureshi in the 22nd minute, to head into half time with a comfortable lead.
Despite the lead India were not content to rest on their laurels and kept dictating the terms of play, forcing Germany to defend for large parts of the second half too. Gurjant Singh (40') and Varun Kumar (44') scored in quick succession to turn the game into a purely academic exercise as India racked up a four-goal lead.
Germany got a goal back in the 46th minute via Philip Schmid and then Schmid converted another penalty corner in the 65th minute to reduce the deficit. India didn't fall prey to nerves though, as Simranjeet Singh scored a fifth in the 69th minute to give them the title. Harmanpreet Singh was named the best player of the tournament. Varun Kumar was the highest scorer of the tournament. Hockey India was pleased to announce Rs. 1 lakh prize money to each of the players and coach Harender Singh, and a further Rs 50,000 to the support staff for their performance.
In addition Harmanpreet Singh and Varun Kumar were each awarded Rs 1 lakh for their brilliant individual performances in the tournament.
