For the second time this year,
Harjeet Singh junior India Men’s hockey team beat Belgium on the way to lifting
a trophy. In its first such final in 15 years, India overwhelmed Belgium 2-1 to
lift the 2016 Hockey Junior World Cup at Lucknow and became the second team
after Gagan Ajit Singh colts in 2001, to get their hands on the most coveted
title.
On the biggest day for Indian
junior men's hockey since the class of 2001 claimed the Junior World Cup,
Harjeet's dominating Indian team was put ahead within minutes when Gurjant
Singh stunningly knocked one past Belgium goalkeeper Loic van Doren to give the
colts a much-needed boost and an early lead. Up 2-0 by half-time following a Simranjeet
Singh field goal, India never let off the pressure.
This win maintained India's 100%
record in the tournament and underlined their status as rightful winners. Belgium, having stunned six-time champions and defending champions Germany 4-3 in a shoot-out in the semi-finals, were overawed in the initial passages of their first Junior World Cup Final. The start to this summit clash was electric
and one-sided as India managed two shots and seven circle penetrations inside
ten minutes. India were the faster side, and that was, ultimately, the
difference.
Two saves from Dahiya were received
with a tumultuous din, and each time India's offensive pack sped down the line
it was with the unanimous expectation of another goal. A PC to Belgium with
seconds remaining had no bearing on the result, and when the full-time whistle
was blown, India's fans were truly given something unforgettable to cheer about
- with Harjeet's unbeatable heroes ending a 15-year jinx to claim the Junior
Hockey World Cup.
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