Two-time champions fell to a 2-3 defeat to Great Britain in their final round-robin match in the 8th edition of the Sultan of Johor Cup Under-21 Invitational hockey tournament at the Taman Daya Hockey Stadium in Johor Bahru on Friday.
It was India’s first defeat in the tournament but it did not mean anything for the Indians who had already qualified for the final before the match against Britain.
For the record, this will be India’s fifth final since the inception of the tournament in 2011 while Britain will be playing their fourth final.
Saturday’s final will be a repeat of the finals in 2014 and 2015. In 2014 the Indians retained the title while in 2015 Britain upset the form book to defeat India and deny them from winning a hat-trick of titles.
Britain needed the win to make the final and this they with a come-from-behind win against the Indians who rested some of their first team players. Saturday’s final is expected to be another close encounter but the Indians will take the favorites tag based on their performance so far in the weeklong tournament.
If India wins the RM100,000 handcrafted silverware the Indians will become the first team to win the title three times.
India’s goal scorers were Vishnukant Singh (5th minute), and Shilanand Lakra (20th), both off penalty corners. In between Britain scored a field goal through Cameron Golden (6th).
Britain added two more to their tally with Stuart Rushmere making it 2-2 in the 39th minute from a penalty corner setpiece before Edward Way snatched the winner on 51 minutes from a field attempt.
“We showed good mental strength for the win and we will gain from this. The final is usually a different ball game but India will be a tough opponent as they have been very consistent,” said Britain coach Jon Bleby.
His India counterpart Jude Felix said, “a bit if indiscipline in the way we defended later in the game cost us the match” but called on his players to “regain their form” in the final.
In other matches, Malaysia snatched a late winner through Abdul Muhajir – a field attempt on 58 minutes – for a 1-0 win over Japan for their first win in the tournament.
The two teams will play again for the fifth and sixth placing match on Saturday.
In another round-robin match, Australia blasted New Zealand 4-0. Australia won the title last year. The Aussies will take on Japan for the third and fourth placing match. RIZAL ABDULLAH
Saturday’s Fixtures
5th/6th placing: Malaysia versus New Zealand (3.35pm)
3rd/4th placing: Australia versus Japan (6.05pm)
Final: India versus Great Britain (8.35pm)
(All matches at Taman Daya Hockey Stadium, Johor Bahru)
