The Indian Men’s Junior Hockey team beat out Belgium in a terrific tassel last night to win the Junior Hockey World Cup. The scoreboard stood at 2-1 in favour of India as the clock struck signalling the end of the match. The stadium burst out with cheers and there were cries of joy heard from the teammates themselves who had come to this stage after giving in much sweat, blood and tears.
From the get go the Indian team were on their best attacking form not letting the Belgians clock in their best goals. Just eight minutes into the game Gurjant Singh scored a wonderful reverse stick putting India in the lead. This lead was only furthered by Simranjeet Singh who scored a second brilliant goal making the grip on the World Cup firmer. But there were times of dismay when, due to little mistakes, the team couldn’t convert the penalty hits that could actually have set the score at 4-0.
As the half time came and went, Belgium seemed to be buckling under pressure. They sure did try to take back the lead with a well placed reverse shot in the 67th minute but only to be deflected by the Indian goalkeeper Vikas Dahiya. Spurred by their advances, Indian members tried their best to secure a third goal but Belgium was now getting back in form. With amazing defense and an edge of the seat play in the last 15 seconds, they managed to successfully convert a penalty corner. Unfortunately it only led to the scoreboard announcing the Indian team as winners for a 2-1 lead.
Along with the exhilarated eruptions at the Major Dhyan Chand stadium in Lucknow, even social media exploded with people from all over congratulating the men who had, after 15 years brought home the trophy, first one being in 2001.
Congratulations @TheHockeyIndia on winning the Junior Hockey World Cup👏 You all made us proud👍 #HJWC2016
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 18, 2016
Congratulations Indian men's hockey team @TheHockeyIndia for winning Junior World Cup by defeating Belgium. 🏑🏑
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) December 18, 2016
Amazing performance by our young guns. Many congratulations to Indian Junior Men Hockey Team on winning the World Cup tittle. Jai Hind. pic.twitter.com/KiKf4bb1I4
— Amit Shah (@AmitShah) December 18, 2016
Congratulations to Indian Junior Hockey Team for winning the #JuniorHockeyWorldCup . My SandArt at Puribeach ,Odisha .#HJWC2016 pic.twitter.com/h5IGLYAwV8
— Sudarsan Pattnaik (@sudarsansand) December 18, 2016
India became the first country to lift the cup as a host nation and the second country to win it for the second time after Germany. Although India came close in 1997, they lost out to Australia back then. Nevertheless, victory was ours this year and a well-deserved one too!
