Johor Cup Hockey: Defending Champions India Lose to Great Britain

The Indian junior men’s hockey team ended runner-up in the Sultan of Johor Cup after losing nail-biting penalty shoot out 3-4 to Great Britain. The teams were level 2-2 after full time in the title encounter. It was Great Britain that drew the first blood in the fifth minute through a penalty corner goal by Luke Taylor.

The Great Britain team who had earlier defeated India in the league matches seemed to be in control of their game until India were rewarded with a penalty corner in the 12th minute, which was beautifully converted into a goal by Harmanpreet Singh to draw parity.

The second half began with India pressing hard to take the lead and they were soon rewarded in the 42nd minute with Gurjant Singh pulling off an absolute stunner, giving India the much needed lead in the game. Great Britain however struck soon after in the 46th minute through Jack Turner to settle the score at 2-2.

India had earlier finished at the top of the table in the league encounter just losing one match ironically to Great Britain. Sumit Kumar and Harmanpreet Singh with three goals each have been the top scorers for India in tournament.