India thrash New Zealand 7-1 in the Sultan of Johor Cup

After the Indian junior men’s hockey team came on top in their opening game of this year’s Sultan of Johor Cup against Malaysia as they won by a narrow scoreline of 2-1 on the opening day of the tournament, their second match against New Zealand was a different story altogether.

The Indian side demolished the Kiwis by a huge scoreline of 7-1 on Sunday as Prabhjot Singh (6th minute), Shilanand Lakra (15th, 43rd), Harmanjit Singh (21st), Mohd Faraz (23rd), Abhishek (50th) and skipper Mandeep Mor (60th) - all scored for the men in blue.

India, who ended with the bronze medal in the last edition of this tournament, began the game with a fine effort from Prabhjot in the sixth minute that had put New Zealand on the back foot very early in the game. Shilanand Lakra, who had made his senior debut earlier this year at the Sultan Azlan Shah Cup in Malaysia, bagged his first of the night as he finished off a nice move to ease the ball past New Zealand’s custodian to double the lead in the 15th minute.

Indian goalkeeper - Pankaj Rajak was at his very best on Sunday as he made some good saves to deny New Zealand on multiple occasions throughout the game. Meanwhile, the Indian forwards kept causing problems at the Kiwi backline and scored back-to-back goals in the 21st and 23rd minute through Harmanjit's field strike and Mohd Faraz's penalty corner conversion to make the score 4-0.

Although the tempo of the game had slowed down in the third quarter, the Indian youngsters extended their lead in the 43rd as Lakra scored his second of the game. Abhishek's 50-minute goal put India 6-0 ahead, as New Zealand's Sam Hiha scored a consolation goal three minutes to spare his team some embarrassment. India's captain, Mandeep Mor also got his name on the scoresheet as he converted an innovative penalty corner to hand India their second consecutive win of the tournament. India will next take on Japan in their third match on October 9.