‘Massacre’ would be the best way to describe the final of the 8th Men’s Junior Asia Cup as the Indian Colts scored six goals to perennial arch-rivals Pakistan’s two to win the trophy. India didn’t make their trademark fast start but once they did, they were on a rampage.
India’s highest goal-scorer of the tournament, Harmanpreet Singh, wasted no time in using his famed drag-flicking skills to put India ahead 1-0. Harmanpreet would be in the spotlight once again, as he converted another penalty corner in the fifteenth minute to take his tally of goals to a dozen.
Pakistan’s Yaqoob netted one for his team to make it a 2-1 game. But Harmanpreet would complete one more of his many hat-tricks in the tournament to put India ahead 3-1 heading into halftime.
Armaan Qureshi and Manpreet Singh Jr. would get into the act soon, putting India ahead by 4 goals. The gluttonous goal machine Harmanpreet would strike again, as the scales tipped overwhelmingly in India’s favour. Pakistan would salvage some self-respect in the form of Mohammed Dilber’s goal with two minutes left in the game.
The tournament served as a qualifier for the Junior World Cup. All the semi-finalists have now qualified.