Bhubaneswar: India’s in-form captain Anmol Ekka continued with his merry goal-scoring ways to power his country to the fourth consecutive final of the Men’s AHF Junior Asia Cup.
Odisha’s 20-year-old defender Anmol scored a brace from penalty corners as India overcame a slow start to beat Malaysia 3-1 at China’s Moqi on Friday.
Anmol has scored 16 goals in 5 matches in the tournament so far — 4 versus Indonesia, 2 versus Japan, 2 versus Korea, 6 versus Chinese Taipei and 2 versus Malaysia. The team tally is 42 goals, making it an average of more than 8 per match.
In Sunday’s final, India will face Korea who thrashed Pakistan 4-1 in the second semifinal. India had hammered Korea 7-3 in their group league clash, hence will start as favourites to lift their fourth straight and sixth overall title.
On Friday, India failed to break the deadlock in the opening quarter. A minute into the second quarter, Anmol scored from India’s fourth penalty corner.
The second goal came after surviving a number of nervy moments thanks to goalkeeper Vivek Lakra’s brilliant saves. Sukhvinder scored a field goal in the 51st minute, putting the finishing touches to a fine move.
Moments after Vivek saved a penalty stroke in the 53rd minute, Anmol sounded the boards from another penalty corner to make it 3-0.
Malaysia earned their eighth penalty corner with seconds left for the final hooter and finally found a consolation goal through M Rahuul.
Indian girls face Korea in semis
India marched into the semifinal of the Women’s Junior Asia Cup too, steamrolling Pakistan 19-0 on Thursday.
They will face Korea in the last four on Saturday.
