MUSCAT: India hammered Thailand 17-0 to power into the semifinals of the Men’s Junior Asia Cup hockey championship in Salalah on Sunday night.
On Monday, Pakistan joined India as the second team in last four from Pool A after a thrilling 3-2 win over Japan.
Favourites India, who were until before the match second to Pakistan on goal difference, charged to top of Pool A with 10 points from four matches with a superior goal difference of 37.
At the Sultan Qaboos Youth Centre pitch in Salalah, India dominated throughout match scoring in all the four quarters.
Angad Bir Singh slammed four goals (13, 33, 47, 55th minutes), while Uttam Singh (24, 31) and Amandeep Lakra (26-pc, 29-pc) netted two apiece. Angad was adjudged as the best player of the match.
Yogember Rawat (17), Araijeet Singh Hundal (36), Vishnukant Singh (38), Boby Singh Dhami (45-pc), Sharda Nand Tiwari (46-pc), Amandeep (47), Rohit (49-pc), Sunit Lakra (54) and Rajinder Singh (56-pc) were also on target for India to complete the 17-0 mauling of Thailand.
Thailand settled for fourth place in Pool A with three points.
PAKISTAN THROUGH
In the last pool match of Pool A, Pakistan edged a fighting Japan 3-2 to move into the last four. Pakistan took the second spot from the group behind leaders India with 10 points from four matches over a lesser goal difference.
Japan finished third with six points from four matches.
It was Japan who took the lead in the second minute when Kumpei Yasuda struck from a penalty corner.
Pakistan came back in the second quarter with a Arbaz Ahmad goal from a penalty corner in the 23rd minute.
Just before the half-time break, Pakistan took the lead when Abdul Wahab found the target with a fine field goal.
In the 38th minute, Japan found the equaliser as Hyoto Yamada hit the target from a penalty corner.
Pakistan regained the lead in the next minute as Abdul Wahab repeated his feat with another good strike.
Pakistan survived some anxious moments as Japan pressed for another goal during the last quarter.
In the end, Pakistan, who needed a draw to advance, prevailed 3-2 to confirm their semifinal position.
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