NEW DELHI: India emerged winners in the inaugural Men's Hockey5s Asia Cup, triumphing over arch-rivals Pakistan 2-0 in a shootout after both the teams were tied at 4-4 in regulation time in Salalah, Oman.
This win also earned India a place in the FIH Men's Hockey5s World Cup 2024.
During regulation time, India's goal scorers were Mohammed Raheel (19th and 26th minutes), Jugraj Singh (7th minute), and Maninder Singh (10th minute). In the shootout, Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh successfully beat the goalkeeper.
For Pakistan, Abdul Rehman (5th minute), captain Abdul Rana (13th minute), Zikriya Hayat (14th minute), and Arshad Liaqat (19th minute) found the back of the net.
Indian goalkeeper Suraj Karkera played a crucial role with some vital saves before Pakistan scored their opening goal through Rehman in the fifth minute. Jugraj Singh quickly equalised for India, and they took the lead with Maninder Singh's reverse-hit goal.
However, Pakistan responded promptly and regained their lead with goals from skipper Abdul Rana and Zikriya Hayat. Arshad Liaqat extended Pakistan's lead in the 19th minute, but Mohammed Raheel scored immediately for India.
In the 26th minute, Mohammed Raheel's solo effort resulted in another goal, leveling the score once more.
With no winner determined in regulation time, the match proceeded to a shootout, where Gurjot Singh and Maninder Singh scored for India, while Arshad Liaqat and Muhammad Murtaza missed their attempts for Pakistan.
As a result of their victory, Hockey India announced a cash prize of Rs 2 lakh for the players and Rs 1 lakh each for the support staff.
(With PTI inputs)
