- By Gurmeet Batra
- Wed, 15 Oct 2025 09:44 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
Sultan Of Johor Cup: The Indian junior men's hockey team's winning streak was snapped in the Sultan of Johor Cup, as they were outplayed by Australia, losing 2-4 in their latest pool encounter on Wednesday.
Skipper Rohit (22nd minute) and Arshdeep Singh (60th minute) found the net for India while Oscar Sproule (39th, 42nd), Andrew Patrick (40th) and captain Dylan Downey (51st) were on mark for Australia.
With seven points from four matches, India settles in the second spot, following two wins, one draw, and one loss, while Australia leads the points chart with 10 points in four games.
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India maintained supremacy in the first quarter, with a strong custody play that followed a promising start. Goalkeeper Prince Deep Singh's sharp early save set the tone, and India carried a firm grip on the game for the next 15 minutes.
The second quarter witnessed India best the first penalty corner in the 17th minute, but Anmol Ekka's flick had too much control and went over the post.
In the 22nd minute, India triumphed another penalty corner, but this time it was authoritatively converted by the team's leading goalscorer Rohit with a low strike.
Amir Ali came close to unfolding the lead in the 25th minute after making a powerful solo run from the left. Ali took a shot from distance, which was saved by the Australian goalkeeper. Australia diverted the wave in the third quarter with three back-to-back goals to take a lead.
The deadlock was broken in the 39th minute when Australia's Oscar Sproule swooped on a fine team action, slotting home from the far post to equalise.
A minute later, Australia took the lead when a deflection during a penalty corner fell perfectly for Andrew Patrick, who made no mistake in finding the back of the net.
India won a penalty corner in the 49th minute, but this time, Rohit's flick went off-target.
Two minutes later, Australia won their fifth penalty corner and captain Dylan Downey strode up to slot it home to further exaggerate their lead.
In the dying moments of the match, Arshdeep Singh displayed his clever deflection, netting India's second goal.