(Hockey News) Destiny led Araijeet Singh Hundal to pick up a hockey stick, his flair earned him a spot in the junior India team, and his finesse transformed him into a star during a memorable comeback win. In a gripping Junior World Cup quarterfinal against the Netherlands, the 19-year-old forward, standing tall at 6 feet 3 inches and hailing from a family of hockey players, played a pivotal role. Hundal’s goal-scoring and playmaking abilities were on full display as he spearheaded India’s turnaround, securing a thrilling 4-3 victory and setting up a semifinal clash against Germany.
Entering the match against the Netherlands, India appeared flat and lacked energy, conceding two goals from penalty corners. Coach CR Kumar demanded increased aggression in the second half, and Hundal responded by injecting life into the team with his dynamic movements, runs, and powerful hits. His weaving run and subsequent assist set up Aditya Lalage for a crucial goal, followed by Hundal converting a penalty to level the score. However, Hundal was not the sole standout player; India witnessed heroics across the field.
Goalkeeper Mohith Shashikumar made a series of magical saves in the opening quarters, preventing the Netherlands from taking control. Rohit, a defender-cum-drag-flicker, showcased bravery as the first-rusher during penalty corners, denying the Netherlands multiple times. Midfielder Vishnukant Singh and forward Uttam Singh demonstrated genius and courage in executing a unique penalty corner routine, leading to the decisive winning goal.
In a heart-stopping conclusion, with three minutes left and the score tied at 3-3, India executed a perfectly coordinated penalty corner variation. Uttam Singh, positioned seemingly unnoticed, capitalized on Vishnukant’s smart play to score a powerful hit and secure India’s lead for the first time in the match. The Indian defense held firm in the face of intense pressure, securing a dramatic victory and a third-straight semifinal appearance for the 2016 junior world champions.
Final Score: India 4 (Aditya Lalage 34′, Arijeet Singh Hundal 35′, Sourabh Anand Kushwaha 52′, Uttam Singh 57’) beat The Netherlands 3 (Timo Boers 5′, Pepijn van der Heijden 16′, Olivier Hortensius 44′).
Also Read: Junior World Cup Hockey: India sweep aside the Dutch to cruise to semis
