India sent out a warning to the hockey world for the forthcoming FIH Junior Men’s World Cup on Sunday when they outplayed hosts Malaysia 3-0 to win the 3rd Sultan of Johor Cup in style at Johor Bahru. India – who stayed unbeaten throughout the tournament – scored in the 22nd, 55th and 64th minute through Amon Tirkey, vice captain Affan Yousuf and skipper Manpreet Singh respectively. The visitors maintained high tempo throughout 70 minutes to disappoint the home crowd and go a step ahead from their second place-finish in the last edition of the tournament. The match was evenly poised at half-time when India led 1-0, but they put the match beyond Malaysia’s reach by scoring two more goals in the last 35 minutes.
India qualified for the final by finishing top of the league table with 13 points from four wins and a draw in five games. Hosts Malaysia too had 13 points but were behind India on goal difference. India had a goal difference of +11 and Malaysia +10. India beat England 2-1 to open their campaign, followed by wins against Argentina (3-2), Pakistan (4-0) and South Korea (6-1). India’s final league game against Malaysia ended in an exciting 3-3 draw. The team’s next big assignment will be at home in New Delhi this December when India hosts the FIH Junior Men’s World Cup.