NEW DELHI: The Indian junior hockey team secured a convincing 10-1 victory over Canada, securing their place in the quarterfinals of the Men's Junior World Cup at the National Hockey Stadium.
The resounding win propelled India to the second position in Pool C, securing a spot in the last eight of the tournament.
India's goal scorers included Aditya Arjun Lalage (8th, 43rd), Rohit (12th, 55th), Amandeep Lakra (23rd, 52nd), Vishnukant (42nd), Rajinder (42nd), Kushwaha Sourabh Anand (51st), and Uttam Singh (58th). Jude Nicholson managed to score the lone consolation goal for Canada in the 20th minute.
India displayed an aggressive start in the opening quarter, pressuring the Canadian defence. Lalage opened the scoring with an excellent field goal in the 8th minute. The Indian strikers continued to apply pressure, earning a penalty corner that Rohit successfully converted in the 12th minute, doubling India's lead.
Canada pulled one back with Nicholson's goal in the second quarter, but India quickly regained control. Lakra converted a penalty corner in the 23rd minute, and India led 3-1 at halftime.
In the third quarter, India extended their lead with goals from Vishnukant (42nd) and Rajinder (42nd). Lalage added his second goal in the 43rd minute, taking the lead to 6-1.
India continued their relentless attack in the final quarter, with Anand (51st), Lakra (52nd), and Rohit (55th) scoring three more goals. Captain Uttam Singh fired in the tenth goal a couple of minutes before the final hooter, sealing a comprehensive victory.
With this win, India secured a spot in the quarterfinals and will face the winner of Pool D, the Netherlands, in the upcoming match on Tuesday.
(With inputs from PTI)
